Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir have been fined their entire match fee for their post-match altercation in the IPL 2023. The incident occurred after the game between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants, which RCB won by 18 runs.
Afghan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq was also fined 50% of his match fee for breaching the league’s code of conduct. During the match, Kohli and Naveen had a heated exchange of words, which continued after the game. Gambhir intervened and had a go at Kohli, leading to the altercation.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed his disappointment over the incident and questioned the definition of a 100% match fee, stating that for players like Kohli, it could amount to a crore of rupees. He added that he hoped such incidents would not be repeated in the future and emphasized the importance of playing competitively without aggression.
This is not the first time that Kohli and Gambhir have been involved in an on-field altercation. In a 2013 IPL match, the two players had an ugly exchange that resulted in a similar fine for both players. Such incidents highlight the need for players to maintain their composure and play with sportsmanship on the field.
The Indian Premier League is a highly competitive tournament that attracts top players from around the world. While the league provides an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and entertain fans, incidents like these tarnish the reputation of the tournament and the sport. It is crucial for players to respect each other and maintain the spirit of the game, both on and off the field.
