The altercation between former Royal Challengers Bangalore captain captain Virat Kohli and Lucknow Super Giants' mentor Gautam Gambhir has cost them 100 per cent of their match fees, as both have been fined for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct after the match in Lucknow on Monday.
Kohli and Gambhir have admitted to the Level 2 offence under Article 2.21 of the IPL Code of Conduct.
Meanwhile, LSG bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, who was involved in a verbal duel with Kohli during the 17th over of Lucknow' run-chase, has also been fined 50 per cent of his match fees for a Level 1 offence.
RCB defeated LSG by 18 runs while defending a below-par total (126/9).
The altercation between the two India stalwarts, who were part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, took place while the players were shaking hands at the completion of the match, when some words were seemingly exchanged between Naveen and Kohli. At this point, Gambhir stepped in to control things, but it soon turned into a Kohli vs Gambhir affair when the latter charged back at the ex-RCB captain.
The Lucknow players then tried to pull Gambhir away, but when the two still got within touching distance of each other, Kohli looked to be trying to douse the fire with some calm words, but it failed to pacify Gambhir, which is when LSG leg-spinner Amit Mishra stepped in trying to control things.
1/10:IPL 2023: Virat Kohli-Gautam Gambhir ugly face-off
PTI
2/10:Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir
<p>Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir added another chapter to their bitter rivalry as they got involved in an ugly face-off after the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants. </p>AFP
3/10:Heated argument
<p>Kohli and Gambhir were seen having a heated argument after RCB won the match by 18 runs on Monday night. </p>AP
4/10:100% fine
<p>Both Kohli and Gambhir were on Tuesday fined 100 per cent of their match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. </p>AP
5/10:Kohli and Mayers
<p>The brief interaction between Kohli and LSG opener Kyle Mayers seemed to have triggered the altercation. </p>TNN
6/10:Words exchanged
<p>While the players were shaking hands after the match, LSG bowler Naveen-ul-Haq and Kohli were seen exchanging words and Glenn Mexwell separated them. </p>AFP
7/10:Mayers and Kohli
<p>This was followed by Gambhir pulling away Mayers from a chat with Kohli. </p>TNN
8/10:Gambhir charges towards Kohli
<p>Just after that, Gambhir was seen charging towards Kohli even as LSG players, including the injured captain KL Rahul, restraining him. </p>PTI
9/10:Heated argument
<p>But eventually, Kohli and Gambhir were involved in a heated argument with players from both sides surrounding them. </p>AFP
10/10:More animated
<p>Gambhir looked the more animated of the two and was repeatedly held back from charging towards Kohli by the LSG players and support staff. </p>IANSThe roots of this latest altercation can possibly be found in this game itself that saw Kohli being quite animated during his team's bowling stint.
RCB went on to defend the small total by bowling out LSG for 108, but en route to their victory, Kohli made a 'silence' gesture towards the crowd after taking a catch that sent Krunal Pandya back early in the run-chase. It followed an argument between Kohli and Naveen later during the 17th over of LSG innings, which required intervention by the on-field umpires and Mishra.
(With agency inputs)
