“Virat is, of course, Virat” - LSG owner on Virat Kohli vs Naveen-ul-Haq fight in IPL 2023
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka has opened up on the spat between LSG's Naveen Ul Haq and Royal Challengers Bengaluru's star batter Virat Kohli during an IPL 2023 match. He mentioned that he was ready to side with Naveen in that case.
During the game at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium, Naveen and Kohli had a small altercation in the middle, which later extended after the game. On Ranveer Allahbadia's podcast 'The Ranveer Show', Goenka opened up on the situation and said:
"That situation took place during a game. So, I will not comment on whether it was right or wrong. It is easy to be judgmental, but it is not for us to judge. I just told Naveen that if you need any support or you are feeling insecure, we are there to support you"
Sanjiv Goenka later added:
"But it is not about showing that you have the spirit to fight. If I was in your position, I would have said - You said this to me. Now I will bowl in such a manner that I will take all of your team's wickets"
Goenka even claimed that Naveen and Kohli made up for the differences in the 2023 ODI World Cup, calling the Afghan large-hearted. He mentioned:
"He is a good kid and large-hearted as well. So, he went and made up with Virat. Virat is, of course, Virat. These situations happen. Such a thing happened between Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head. These things happen and as an owner, you just need to quieten them down."
"Virat bhai said 'Let's finish this and forget what's happened" - Naveen Ul Haq on how he and Virat Kohli cleared their differences
The spat between Naveen Ul Haq and Virat Kohli created a furor on the internet, with the then-LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir siding with the Afghan via an Instagram post.
During the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, the Men in Blue and Afghanistan squared off at the Arun Jaitley International Stadium in Delhi. Naveen said that he and Kohli had settled things, with the two being pictured post-game in good spirits.
In a conversation with Zalmi TV, the former LSG bowler said:
"When I was going back to my position at long off, Virat bhai said 'let's finish this and forget what's happened'. Even after the game, he said that the crowd won't bother you anymore," said Naveen."
While Virat Kohli will continue at RCB in the 18th edition of the IPL, Naveen Ul Haq went unsold in the recently concluded IPL mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.