IPL 2023: What led to spat between Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq? Shoe dust gesture to brawl-like situation

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IPL 2023: What led to the verbal spat between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir after Monday's match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium? Several pictures and videos from the incident have gone viral.

In the piece, we have tried to take a cue from those pictures and decode the chronology of the entire saga. It all started in the 17th over when Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq exchanged words and Amit Mishra intervened. Soon, the umpire was seen intervening between Kohli and Mishra.

On analysing the video, one could feel that Kohli is suggesting Mishra to talk and put sense in his batting partner's mind instead of asking him to calm down and let go. At this point, a visibly upset Mishra can be seen staring at an aggressive Kohli. Moments later, there is a stare off between Kohli and Naveen. IPL 2023: Naveen-ul-Haq abused by Virat Kohli fans as he takes a dig at RCB star in Instagram story

A picture of Kohli cleaning the sole of his shoes during the 17th over has also gone viral. Many have suggested that the action was directed towards Naveen. "Kohli did this to Naveen-ul-haq. Said by action that 'you are not even equivalent to dirt of my shoes'," a fan wrote. What led to clash between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir? Shoe dust gesture to brawl-like situation

Following RCB's 18-run win, Kohli and Naveen let themselves loose during the ceremonial handshake. Kohli says something to Naveen and the Afghanistan cricketer retaliates by shoving away his hand in an agitated fashion. Kohli steps back towards Naveen and says something before Glenn Maxwell intervenes.

A few moments later, LSG captain KL Rahul and Kohli can be seen talking with the former trying to defuse the situation. During the same interaction, Naveen apparently declines Rahul's proposal to talk it out with Kohli. IPL 2023: Virat Kohli Gautam Gambhir clash - Experts give opinion on heated spat

In the climax of the entire saga, LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir takes away Kyle Mayers who is talking to Kohli who walks away looking perplexed. But soon, Gambhir and Kohli charge towards each other and argue over the entire episode. Rahul, Mishra, LSG assistant coach Vijay Dahiya and du Plessis defuse the matter this time.

"If you gonna give it, you gonna take it," Kohli later says in a video posted by RCB.