Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli‘s on-field altercation during the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 dominated the news. On May 1, during the 43rd game of the tournament, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants engaged in an acrimonious exchange.
However, Gautam Gambhir came forward weeks after the acrimonious exchange to clarify the situation between him and Kohli. Regarding his vitriolic altercation with the 34-year-old, Gambhir opined that there is nothing personal between them and that the tension remains on the ground.
Kohli was involved in a verbal altercation with Lucknow pacer Naveen-ul-Haq during the game, and the situation escalated when Gambhir removed Kyle Mayers while he was speaking to Kohli. This led to a heated argument between Kohli and Gambhir, which was the gossip of the town for several weeks.
“I have the same rapport with MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. If we have a disagreement, it will take place solely on the pitch and not off it. There is no personal element. They desire victory as much as I do, stated Gautam Gambhir to News 18.
Not that I’ve never fought: Gautam Gambhir
Additionally, Gambhir stated that he made it a point not to take the battles and arguments he engaged in off the pitch. He also stated that a large number of people had requested clarification; however, in his opinion, an argument between two individuals does not require clarification.
“I have fought numerous times on cricket fields. Not that I’ve never fought. I have always ensured that conflicts and arguments on the cricket pitch remain there. The argument was between two individuals and should have stayed on the cricket pitch. Numerous individuals expressed numerous opinions. Many individuals demanded an interview for TRPs, as they did when they asked me to elucidate. “The event between two individuals does not require clarification,” Gambhir stated.