Blow–blow of Kohli-Gambhir spat: A flashpoint on field after a free-hit, Kohli’s finger on lips gesture, and a handshake that triggered a near altercation

There was no love lost between Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG) team mentor Gautam Gambhir and former Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) captain Virat Kohli who were involved in an ugly on-field spat after the match in Lucknow. Kohli and Gambhir were seen exchanging words and had to be separated the two sets of players.
Here’s look at how things unravelled between the two former India, Delhi and ONGC teammates:
The on-field incident between Siraj, Naveen and Kohli
The incident seemed to have originated following what appeared to be in-game sledging involving Kohli and Lucknow’s Naveen-ul-Haq when the latter came to bat during the chase.

Miyan is also on fire 🔥🙌❤️#siraj #RCBVSLSG #ViratKohli #gautam #Naveen #AmitMishra #naveen pic.twitter.com/jkWrN3fcId
— SD Arshad (@SDArshad17) May 1, 2023
In the last ball of the 17th over of LSG innings, Siraj bowled a bouncer to Naveen, and it was given a no-ball. Naveen failed to capitalise on the free hit and Siraj gave the Afghanan player a stare and then threw the ball into the stumps at the striker’s end. Naveen can be seen having a word with the RCB pacer. Kohli, patrolling at mid-off, intervened and started having a go at Naveen, who also gave it back to the former India captain.

Things might have gone out of hand if Amit Mishra, a senior to both Kohli and Naveen, intervened and separated them.

What goes around comes around! 🤫
Our 12th Man Army send their regards. 🤷‍♂️#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2023 #LSGvRCB pic.twitter.com/Ec8sRKK9FA
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) May 1, 2023
Kohli finger on lips gesture
After their 18-run win, Kohli couldn’t control his emotions and then silenced the Lucknow crowd putting his finger on his lips. Kohli was getting back at Gambhir, who did the same at Chinnaswamy Stadium when LSG eked out a one-wicket win in the first leg. Surprisingly RCB felt more at home than the LSG. Even RCB pacer Josh Hazlewood in the post-match press conference, admitted that “It felt like we’re playing at Chinnaswamy.”

#ViratKohli This is the moment when whole fight started between Virat Kohli and LSG Gautam GambhirAmit MishraNaveen ul haq#LSGvsRCB pic.twitter.com/hkId1J33vY
— Mehulsinh Vaghela (@LoneWarrior1109) May 1, 2023
Flash point during handshake
Following RCB’s win in an emotionally-charged contest, Kohli and Naveen had to be separated after a conversation during handshakes. Naveen shook Kohli’s hand tightly, was not ready to let it go, and said something before the RCB batter shook it off. Thereafter, Kohli took a couple of step backwards and replied to Naveen, which got the Afghanan pacer worked up before Glenn Maxwell interfered and calmed things down and ensured there was no further physical contact between Kohli and Naveen.

Haters editing #virat aggression towards Naveen ul haq to Amit mishra to satisfy themselves 😌Come on guys level up #RCBVSLSG pic.twitter.com/QDGKZxXKHo
— deepika / ದೀಪಿಕಾ (@deepika45638) May 1, 2023
Gambhir pulls Mayers away from Kohli
After the match, LSG team mentor Gautam Gambhir had an animated chat with the umpires. He looked like he was complaining about RCB players’ behaviour.
Then after the post-match rituals, LSG opener Kyle Mayers can be seen chatting with Virat Kohli. It seemed like a normal conversation but Gambhir came in between and took Mayers away.
Gambhir and Kohli have a go at each other
Something irked both Gambhir and Kohli and they were involved in an on-field altercation. Initially, Kohli looked like he wanted to pacify things and was trying to explain the incident putting a hand on Gambhir’s shoulder. In a matter of seconds, things turned ugly and tempers flared with both of them having a go at each other. Kohli and Gambhir were seen exchanging words and had to be separated the two sets of players, including RCB captain Faf du Plessis and his LSG counterpart KL Rahul.
KL Rahul and Kohli chat
KL Rahul took Kohli aside, and the two can be seen having another animated chat. While having a discussion, Kohli reminded Rahul about Gambhir’s antics in the last match, where he was shushing the Bangalore crowd.

LSG v RCB, Game Day Dressing Room Reactions
King Kohli reacts to the win, Faf explains the crucial partnership and how Virat’s aggression helps the team, Karn and Hazlewood talk about their performances, before the team sang the victory song. Watch Game Day for more…#PlayBold pic.twitter.com/Jr0kCzYoIa
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) May 2, 2023
Both Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli have been fined 100 per cent of their match fee, while Naveen-ul-Haq was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for breaching the IPL code of Conduct.
Kohli-Gambhir, a decade old rivalry
This was not the first time when the two Delhi boys has clashed in an IPL match. Ten years ago, Kohli and Gambhir were involved in an ugly spat at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Gambhir, then captain of KKR had a go at his counterpart Kohli, while celebrating his wicket. Things escalated with Kohli instead of trudging back to the pavilion, walked towards extra short cover and apparently made a remark.
Suddenly, Gambhir was seen walking angrily towards his Delhi and India teammate. However, it was another Delhi lad Rajat Bhatia, who got in between them and separated both of them or things might have gone out of hand.
Naveen-ul-Haq vs Mohammad Amir and Shahid Afridi in LPL 2020
It was not the first time Afghanan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq was involved in an on-field heated exchange. During a Lanka Premier League match between Kandy Tuskers and Galle Galle Gladiators in 2020, Naveen indulged in a verbal spat with Mohammad Amir and Shahid Afridi. Naveen, playing for Tuskers and Amir, were seen having a go at each other soon after the match ended.

Always ready to take advice and give respect,Cricket is a gentleman’s game but if someone says you all are under our feet and will stay their then he is not only talking about me but also talking abt my ppl. #give #respect #take #respect
— Naveen ul haq Murid (@imnaveenulhaq) December 1, 2020
When the team came out for a handshake, Gladiators’ skipper Shahid Afridi came out for a handshake; he looked angry and irritated with Naveen-ul-Haq.

“My advise to the young player was simple, play the game and don’t indulge in abusive talk. I have friends in the Afghanan team and we have very cordial relations. Respect for teammates and opponents is the basic spirit of the game,” Afridi tweeted after the match.
To which the youngster replied: “Always ready to take advice and give respect,Cricket is a gentleman’s game but if someone says you all are under our feet and will stay their then he is not only talking about me but also talking abt my people.”