IPL 2023: Kohli, Gambhir fined full match fees over altercation

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli looked animated throughout the match. Photo: PTI/Atul Yadav

Former India teammates Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir were docked their full match fees following their altercation in Monday's Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Lucknow, organisers said.

Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had been beaten at home last month by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who have former Test opener Gambhir as their 'Global Mentor'.

RCB successfully defended 126/9 in a low-scoring contest to exact revenge, and Kohli, well known for his combative nature, looked animated throughout the match, screaming, punching the air and gesturing to the Lucknow crowd with every dismissal. When the players were shaking hands Kohli appeared to have a blunt exchange with LSG bowler Naveen-ul-Haq and was then confronted by Gambhir.

Kohli, 34, initially looked like he was trying to reason with Gambhir but the conversation became heated and the pair, who previously clashed in a 2013 IPL match, had to be separated by teammates.

Gambhir, 41, was fined 100 per cent of his match fee for breaching the tournament's code of conduct, organisers said in a statement, with Kohli handed a similar fine.

Both players admitted to their offence, they added.

Naveen was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for his role in the altercation.

RCB and LSG are among five teams level on 10 points after nine matches, two points behind leaders and defending champions Gujarat Titans.

LSG skipper K L Rahul hurt his hip while fielding and could not open the innings. He came out to bat at No. 11 and could not score off the three deliveries he faced in the penultimate over of the match.

"He pulled his hip flexor I guess," LSG stand-in skipper Krunal Pandya said."I do not know how bad it is. The medical team will assess it."

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