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Virat Kohli vs. Gautam Gambhir: The History of the Rivalry

Here is the complete timeline of Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir’s feud.

In 2008, Kohli made his international debut. In 2009, Virat scored his first century. Sri Lanka paid their first visit to India. Sri Lanka batted first in the ODI at Eden Park and scored 315 runs. India scored runs in 48.1 overs while chasing the runs. On 150, Gambhir stayed unblemished. Kohli made 107 runs. Early in Sri Lanka’s run chase, India lost the wickets of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. Two quick wickets fell, but India easily won the match thanks to Gambhir’s and Kohli’s wide bats. Kohli and Gambhir put up 224 runs for the third wicket. Gambhir was named the match’s MVP. However, veteran Gambhir presented the prize to Kohli. Virat was given a phone, a cheque for Rs 1 lakh, and a trophy. To commemorate Kohli’s first century, Gambhir presented him with the Man of the Match award. 

The 2011 World Cup squad had two stars. In the opening match, Kohli got a century against Bangladesh. In the final, Gambhir batted beautifully. For a while, Gambhir did not get a century. However, the two’s connection shifted during the IPL.

The 43rd match of the IPL 2023 saw the Lucknow Super Giants take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Thanks to their disciplined bowling attack, the Faf du Plessis-led side successfully defended a tiny score of 126 for 9 against KL Rahul and company at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. Even yet, it couldn’t become the game’s highlight since the Virat Kohli vs. Gautam Gambhir brawl took up all of the attention. The nasty scene concluded with teammates from both teams intervening to calm things down. For the uninitiated, this was not the first time the two cricket legends had a spat, and history proves it!

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The start (IPL 2013)

A decade ago, a similar battle of words erupted between Kohli and Gambhir. In the 2013 IPL, it was a match between RCB and KKR. The RCB captain was then ejected, and his rival Gambhir shouted something to him. Certainly not kind words! Kohli did not take a back seat, and as a result, the two became embroiled in a furious confrontation. It was also followed by the two pressing each other physically. The fight was so heated that their teammates had to step in to calm them down.

Rivalry continues (IPL 2016)

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Three years later, Kohli and Gambhir had another altercation. It was another RCB-KKR game, but this time it was the IPL 2016. Even though Kohli had comfortably completed the run, Gambhir took the ball and flung it at the stumps at the non-striker’s end near the end of RCB’s chase. Kohli accepted the invitation after Gambhir did his bit. What comes next? The two got into a furious confrontation. And this time, the match officials got involved as well.

Has it ended there? No! (IPL 2023)

Fast forward to May 1, 2023, when Kohli and Gambhir were involved in another heated spat. The BCCI penalized both Kohli and Gambhir 100% of their match money this time. Naveen-ul-Haq, who also had a heated discussion with Kohli, was fined 50%.

Even Gambhir’s cricket career ran into problems as a result of this rivalry. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma replaced Gambhir in the ODI team, who had already been cut. While all was going on, Kohli replaced Gambhir as captain of the Indian Test team, entirely ignoring him. Despite only playing two test matches, Gambhir did make a comeback in 2016 against New Zealand and England.

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