Last Update: May 18, 2023, 4:37 PM IST
Virat Kohli (left) and Gautam Gambhir have been fined heavily after this incident. (pic credit: sportzpix)
One of the lasting memories of IPL 2023 will be the exchange of words between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir during a heated argument
Once Indian teammates and 2011 ODI World Cup winners Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir have not been good friends and that much is evident. The two have clashed on the field several times, most famously in the IPL, with the most recent of the incidents coming after the conclusion of a tense contest between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore earlier this month.
Gambhir and Kohli are known for their on-field aggression and visuals of them exchanging words surrounded by teammates, coaches and match officials were widely shared on social media and resulted in the BCCI imposing a fine on both. Heavy fine imposed.
Read also: ‘Virat Kohli will do everything to keep RCB in playoff race’
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that a bit of confrontation is acceptable provided it does not cross the line and if it does, the match referee can deal with it appropriately.
“You need a little confrontation on the field. Where you draw the line, the match referee is there to see the line. When you are penalised, once or twice you will be fine,” Shastri said. espncricinfo,
There is also an argument that such behavior by players of the stature of Kohli and Gambhir sends the wrong message to the coming generation and their heated debate should not be telecast.
Read also: Jonny Bairstow Wonders If He’ll Ever ‘Walk Again’
Shastri, however, believes that by showing the incident live, the parties involved would be able to judge their behavior better.
“Many people told me, this is IPL. This is a live broadcast. Why were they showing two players fighting. ok, fair point. Because the world saw. Now, I will tell you the positive in this,” Shastri said.
He said, ‘Seeing this, both the players will behave differently next time. Because they would know that there is a camera on them all the time. Then they will do the right thing for the mass audience that is watching. Children, parents, friends. Then you know what the line is. Have I used foul language? Was my body language not right? Was it in the spirit of the game? Did I come across as a bad loser? All these things immediately come to the fore once you see that footage and then you learn. If you don’t learn, another fine or suspension is imminent,” he said.
