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Afghanistan’s pacer Naveen-ul-Haq has revisited the intense clash he had with Virat Kohli during an IPL 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants.
The heated exchange between Naveen-ul-Haq and Virat Kohli erupted on the field when Kohli allegedly sledged Naveen. The incident escalated further as LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir also joined in after the match.
Naveen faced considerable backlash and trolling across social media for his confrontation with one of Indian cricket’s biggest stars. The criticism extended to his arrival at subsequent matches.
However, during the ODI World Cup 2023 match between India and Afghanistan in Delhi, a significant moment unfolded as Naveen and Kohli embraced each other, signaling the end of their heated rivalry. Kohli’s embrace was seen as a gesture to assure Naveen that he wouldn’t face further bullying from the crowd.
Naveen-ul-Haq reflects on his intense IPL rivalry with Virat Kohli.
In a video shared by Major League Cricket’s 2024 team Texas Super Kings on social media, Naveen-ul-Haq reflected on the incident when he clashed with Virat Kohli.
The fast bowler emphasized that the altercation was a result of the intense competition on the field. He clarified that both he and Kohli were driven by their passion to perform for their respective franchises, which contributed to the heated moment.
“I don’t have the counts of it but many times now (when asked how many times have you been asked about this incident before). I have been asked about it and I’ve made it clear also. It was in the heat of the moment. He was representing his franchise (and) I was playing for my franchise. That’s what I do. If it’s for my country or for my franchise, I will give it all,” Naveen-ul-Haq said in the video uploaded by TSK.
Social media keeps going on till they get something out of it – Naveen-ul-Haq
Naveen also criticized social media for perpetuating the incident and making it headline news. He emphasized that the rivalry between him and Virat Kohli was resolved during the ODI World Cup 2023.
“I won’t back down and then at the end of the day, we are all players. Some of us are close friends and some of us are just colleagues and players. We just brush it out and it’s nothing that personal to continue out of the field. But yeah, the social media nowadays, it keeps going on and on till they get something out of it. But in the ODI World Cup, it finished once and for all,” Naveen concluded.
Naveen-ul-Haq, now playing for Texas Super Kings in MLC 2024, has had a subdued tournament thus far, claiming just 1 wicket across four matches at an average of 116 and an economy rate of 9.66. Previously, the right-arm seamer played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s journey to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024.
