Gautam Gambhir’s Top 3 Controversial Moments Since Joining LSG in IPL: A Closer Look

The Indian Premier League (IPL) season has entered the second half as clubs compete for positions in the top four to qualify for the playoffs and maybe finish in the top two.

The defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) lead the points table with six wins in eight games, while the Delhi Capitals are last with two wins in eight games. Both teams will meet on Tuesday at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

While the action on the pitch has been filled with high-intensity moments and thrilling last-over finishes, there have been times when players have crossed the line and had heated moments and verbal spats during or after the game.

The IPL has traditionally seen some of the most combustible players with fiery tempers who have gotten themselves into hot water with their conduct on the pitch or by making controversial statements off the pitch. Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Gautam Gambhir is one of the most ferocious competitors, not afraid to take on players on and off the pitch.

Here are Gautam Gambhir’s three most contentious moments since joining LSG in 2022.

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1. Gautam Gambhir-Virat Kohli Brawl after RCB-LSG clash

Gautam Gambhir, the coach of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), and former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli got into a verbal argument after RCB defeated LSG by 18 runs in Lucknow on Monday, May 1.

The incident began after the 16th over of the LSG innings, when RCB pacer Mohammed Siraj looked at LSG’s Naveen Ul Haq before firing the ball towards the stumps with Naveen safely inside the crease.

The umpires were forced to intervene after Siraj and Naveen exchanged words. Kohli then stepped in and had words for Naveen. In response, Afghanistan’s bowler charged straight at Kohli.

After the game, when Kohli and Naveen were still arguing, this led to unpleasant scenes between Gambhir and Kohli, and Gauti got into a heated argument with the umpires.

After the customary handshakes, LSG opener Kyle Mayers and Virat Kohli were seen conversing when Gautam came out of nowhere and yanked Mayers away from Virat, starting the confrontation and exchange between Kohli and Gambhir.

Gambhir and Kohli charged at one other and engaged in a combative altercation as teammates from both teams attempted to separate them.

Here is a video of the altercation from beginning to end:

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2. Gautam Gambhir silences the Chinnaswamy crowd after LSG’s last-ball win against RCB

Gautam Gambhir, the coach of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), made a provocative gesture to the packed audience at the Chinnaswamy Stadium after their one-wicket victory over RCB off the penultimate ball of the innings.

In one of the IPL 2023’s closest games, most of the LSG dugout celebrated enthusiastically after the last pair stole a bye off the last ball to finish a historic chase.

Gautam was pumped up as he smashed the table with his palm and then hugged the crew while flinging stuff around. He was also extremely vocal and exuberant throughout much of LSG’s batting innings, particularly during Nicholas Pooran’s match-winning half-century.

It was perhaps that Gauti’s excessive and controversial behavior in their first meeting carried over into their second meeting, resulting in an unpleasant confrontation after the game.

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3 Gautam Gambhir on AB de Villiers’ IPL records

Gautam Gambhir has never shied away from making provocative comments off the field that ruffle the feathers of cricket fans all around the world. He has been known to make barbs at some of the game’s top players, including MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.

AB de Villiers was one of the batters nominated in a recent Star Sports poll for the greatest IPL batter to be chosen by cricket experts. The former KKR captain, however, pointed out that the Protea batter played the majority of his games at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is known for its tiny boundaries and flat wickets.

Because of this, Gambhir chose former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Suresh Raina over ABD as the best batter in the IPL because of his role on the Super Kings’ championship success, and he said:

“If AB de Villiers plays in a small ground like Chinnaswamy Stadium for 8-10 years, any player might have the same strike rate or ability. So Suresh Raina 4 IPL titles, unfortunately, de Villiers only personal records.”

Fans were not pleased with his words, with many citing to his dismal record at Chinnaswamy Stadium, where he averaged 30.2 with a strike rate of 126.4.

ABD, on the other hand, averaged 43.56 at a strike rate of 161.2 at Chinnaswamy Stadium and nearly 40 with a strike rate of 152 in his IPL career.

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Also Read: Price of the Clash: Kohli & Gambhir’s Wallets Take a Hit After Ugly IPL Fight (cricfiles.com)