Virat Kohli gets run down by Aakash Chopra? Mysterious reply on Harshit Rana's ban leaves fans stunned

Aakash Chopra has taken a cheeky dig toward former India captain Virat Kohli for his on-pitch antics that did not end up getting him banned.

Aakash Chopra took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his views on Virat Kohli's on-field behavior. The 38-year-old made this tweet in the context of IPL authorities stripping off 100% match fees and handing a one-match ban to KKR pacer Harshit Rana. The Delhi-based cricketer admitted to the level 1 breach and he will subsequently miss Kolkata's next match against Mumbai.

Did Aakash Chopra take a cryptic dig at Virat Kohli?

Earlier today, Aakash Chopra had initially asked followers on his X as to what was the true nature of Harshit Rana's offense that led to his ban. After getting a few responses, Chopra ended up taking a cryptic dig at Virat Kohli while referring to on-field abrasive behaviors.

A fan had written that Harshit Rana's gestures during the match against Delhi Capitals were not at all acceptable and that his aggression might impact his career. Rana belongs to Delhi, a state, that is known for producing flamboyant, at times over-expressive and aggressive cricketers.

In his response to the fan's comment, Aakash Chopra hinted towards taking a dig at Harshit Rana's senior statesman Virat Kohli, who is also famous for giving send-offs. Chopra claimed that if Rana's send-off to Abhishek Porel was offensive, then he knows a very well-known cricketer who would be handed match-bans in every other game.

In fact, in this IPL season, during RCB's clash against KKR earlier this season, Virat Kohli had looked in animated mode after he was given out on a full-toss delivery. Kohli felt that it was a no-ball but upon the 3rd umpire's decision, the former RCB captain chirped a few words to the on-field umpires and left the field in disgust.

He was also seen hitting a dustbin while on his way to the dressing room and that's what Aakash Chopra referenced in his reply.

If a send-off like that is enough for demerit points and amounts to Level-1 offence…I know a very popular cricketer who would get banned every alternate game.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Aakash Chopra refrained from namedropping but everyone knows as to which cricketer he is talking about. "If a send-off like that is enough for demerit points and amounts to Level-1 offense…I know a very popular cricketer who would get banned every alternate game." - Chopra replied.

What had happened that led to Harshit Rana's one-match ban?

Two days ago during Kolkata's reverse fixture against Delhi Capitals at the Eden Gardens, Harshit Rana fell under the spotlight for another infamous thing. After cleaning up the stumps of DC batter Abhishek Porel, Rana almost did the flying kiss celebration which he attempted against Mayank Agarwal, and ended up having 60% of his match fees stripped off.

Harshit Rana had almost given another flying kiss before tracking back and refraining himself. That is possibly the reason why Rana was charged 100% of his match fees and was banned for one game.

"Mr Harshit Rana, Bowler, Kolkata Knight Riders has been fined 100 percent of his match fees and suspended for one match for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during Match 47. Rana committed a Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 of the IPL's Code of Conduct. He admitted to the offence and accepted the Match Referee’s sanction." - the statement on IPLT20.com read.

How did the fans react to Aakash Chopra's dig at Virat Kohli?

Fans below the tweet from Aakash Chopra have rallied in with hilarious comments. But the common thing about those replies was that everyone knew whom Chopra was targetting. Here are a few reactions:

We know who you talking about p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->Q<!---->W<!---->R<!---->3<!---->E<!---->3<!---->j<!---->k<!---->5<!---->q

— Pandu Raju (@CSKianPaanduRaj) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Just a pic of virat searching that popular cricketer p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->h<!---->T<!---->d<!---->2<!---->f<!---->5<!---->n<!---->h<!---->e<!---->C

— ` (@bdrijalab) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Direct naam le lo bhai Virat ka.darr kyun rahe ho

— Raghav Masoom (@comedibanda) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4