In the IPL, rivalry between players and intense altercations have been unusual but not unheard of. A significant altercation between the successful Indian cricket player Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir occurred in 2013, and it remains one of the most controversial incidents in the league’s history.
Conflicts are inevitable when two intensely competitive individuals with strong personalities come together.
At Chinnaswamy, RCB and KKR faced off in a pivotal IPL encounter in 2013. After that, Captain Virat Kohli led the team in a commanding chase before being removed for 35 by Laxmipathy Balaji, leaving the RCB needing to score 80 runs in the final 11 overs.
Since Kohli’s wicket was crucial to the outcome of the game for KKR, the whole team was overjoyed. But when KKR captain Gautam Gambhir said a few words to a leaving Kohli in the heat of the moment, tensions erupted.
In the meantime, Rajat Bhatia of KKR separated the pair as Virat Kohli, in a rush of blood, turned around for a sharp response. Both players then came storming down at one another.
The umpires’ prompt intervention prevented an ugly physical altercation by sending Kohli back; he proceeded to swear while making his way to the changing room.
Nevertheless, the altercation continued to make headlines for a while. Furthermore, the IPL officials disciplined both Kohli and Gambhir following the violent confrontation, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the necessity of maintaining the league’s standards of behaviour and sportsmanship.
Years after the event, though, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli downplayed the incident and denied ever harbouring hatred towards one another, pointing out that they were both motivated by the adrenaline and excitement of the game.
