The Indian Premier League 2024 season promises an intense match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Fans will see superstar Virat Kohli confront Kolkata’s new mentor, Gautam Gambhir, with whom he’s had strained relations in the past. Former India and Bengaluru fast bowler Varun Aaron predicts Kohli will be charged up near the Kolkata dugout on Friday, March 29.
Speaking to Star Sports ahead of KKR’s match against RCB, Aaron said he anticipates an intense encounter off the field, suggesting Kohli will be energized when he sees Gambhir in the Kolkata dugout. Previously, in IPL 2023, Kohli and Gambhir engaged in an ugly on-field altercation during Bengaluru’s league match against Lucknow.
“I don’t want to cause trouble, but I am eager to see the intense matchup that will likely unfold outside the playing field when Gautam Gambhir stands near the Bengaluru dugout. It is hard to predict how Virat Kohli will react if he makes eye contact with his fiery former teammate in the Kolkata dugout, given Kohli’s competitive spirit.”
This 2023 incident was not the first clash between Kohli and Gambhir on the cricket field. Back in 2013, when Gambhir captained Kolkata and Kohli led Bengaluru, the two engaged in a heated argument that escalated to shoving before teammates intervened to separate them.
The rivalry between Kohli and Gambhir rekindled in 2023 during an on-field altercation between Kohli and Afghani pacer Naveen-ul-Haq, who plays for Lucknow. After the match ended, Gambhir directed his Lucknow players not to speak with Kohli. He even confronted the Indian batter aggressively before being restrained by his own team.
Kohli and Gambhir’s bitter rivalry will be on full display when Bengaluru faces Kolkata in their explosive clash, which is a must-see match for fans and experts alike.