Whatever transpired between Kohli and Gambhir is not acceptable in cricket: Harbhajan Singh

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has commented on the May 1 altercation between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) players Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. Notably, the Bengaluru franchise defeated KL Rahul’s LSG by 18 runs in a low-scoring match played in Lucknow.

However, following the conclusion of the match, Kohli and LSG coach Gambhir engaged in an acrimonious verbal exchange and had to be separated by teammates from their respective teams. Harbhajan stated that the ugliness on the field was inappropriate for the sport.

Notably, the former off-spinner cited his 2008 controversy with Sreesanth that caused havoc. Harbhajan was involved in an altercation with the former Punjab pacer during a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), which resulted in the latter being struck. Due to his behavior, he was prohibited for the remainder of the season.

“I am ashamed of what I did in 2008 with Sreesanth,” Virat Kohli is a legend; he should refrain from engaging in such conduct. Harbhajan stated on his YouTube channel that whatever transpired between Virat and Gambhir was detrimental to cricket.

Their relationship after the incident at Chinnaswamy was never the same: Harbhajan
It was not the first time that Kohli and Gambhir argued on the field in the premier league. Following Kohli’s dismissal at the Chinnasamy Stadium in Bengaluru in 2013, then-KKR captain Gambhir and then-RCB captain Kohli engaged in an acrimonious exchange. Harbhajan added that the 2013 incident strained their relationship despite sharing a dressing room with India.

“If you watch the highlights of this game, you will conclude that there was more violence than cricket. Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli have had a rivalry and differences since the beginning. Long ago, after the incident at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, their relationship was never the same,” he added.