The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons recently, with Royal Challengers Bangalore’s captain Virat Kohli and Lucknow Super Giants’ mentor Gautam Gambhir getting involved in an on-field spat. The incident resulted in both players being fined 100% of their match fee for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct.
Despite the controversy, Kohli took to social media to share an old interview with West Indies legend Viv Richards, where he expressed his fascination with the shortest format of the game and his desire to play in T20 leagues like the IPL and CPL if they existed during his career.
Richards, known for his explosive batting, had a strike rate of 86.07 in Test matches and is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. Kohli’s post with the caption “The Real Boss” could be seen as a subtle dig at Gambhir, with whom he has a history of on-field clashes.
The incident has sparked a lot of discussion, with many ex-cricketers weighing in on the situation. Some have criticized the players’ behavior, while others have defended them, saying that such incidents are a part of the game and add to its entertainment value.
In its release, the IPL stated that both Kohli and Gambhir had admitted to the Level 2 offense under Article 2.21 of the IPL Code of Conduct. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining sportsmanship and respect on and off the field, especially in high-profile events like the IPL.
The IPL continues to attract millions of viewers worldwide and remains one of the most lucrative cricket leagues in the world. With the rise of T20 cricket and the increasing popularity of leagues like the IPL and the Big Bash League, it is no surprise that even legendary cricketers like Viv Richards would have loved to play in these leagues if they existed during their playing careers.
