On May 1, 2023, the 43rd match of the Indian Premier League took place at the Ekana Sports City Stadium between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore. The game was exciting, but what got more attention was the intense argument that broke out between the mentor of LSG Gautam Gambhir, and star batter Virat Kohli.
There has been extensive coverage and discussion of this intense argument that occurred recently and according to a report in Dainik Jagran more than five days after the incident, Kohli wrote a letter to the BCCI officials where he has explained all the situation of the banter on the match day.
As per the reports, Kohli conveyed his disappointment to the BCCI officials regarding the fine imposed on him. He expressed that he did not engage in any activity that would warrant a fine from the board for his behavior towards Naveen-ul-Haq or Gambhir during the verbal fight. The incident was categorized as a level 2 offense and was found to have violated the IPL Code of Conduct. As a result, both Gambhir and Kohli were fined 100% of their match fees.
In the report, it has been explained that he did not ask Mohammed Siraj to hit the Afghanistan pacer Naveen ul Haq during the run chase, he only asked him to bowl some superb bouncers.
Naveen ul Haq was fined 50% of his match fees. After the game Kyle Mayers was having a conversation with Virat Kohli about the action that happened during the run chase between Naveen ul Haq, Kohli, and Siraj, then only Gautam Gambhir stepped in and took Mayers away from Kohli. This sparked an argument between Gambhir and Kohli.
It was also noted that the LSG skipper KL Rahul was talking to Kohli and he asked Naveen ul Haq to settle down the things but the Afghanistan pacer denied it and went away from these two players.