IPL 2023: BCCI slaps fine on Kohli, Gambhir for argument; 7 ugly IPL spats

Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Virat Kohli and Lucknow Super Giants mentor Gautam Gambhir had an ugly spat between them after RCB beat hosts LSG in a low-scoring IPL 2023 match at the Ekana Stadium on Monday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) slapped both the ex-Delhi and India teammates with 100 per cent of their IPL match fees.

The incident was followed by a spat between Kohli and Lucknow batsman Naveen-ul Haq, who hit back at RCB pacer Mohammed Siraj after the bowler stared at him during his over. 

This was not the first time Kohli and Gambhir were involved in a war of words. They had a spat in 2013 and 2016 too.

The IPL has been a hotbed of ugly fights between players. Zee Biz takes you through the famous spats between players in the IPL.

7 ugly spats in IPL
 

Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli in 2013

Gambhir was the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, while Kohli was leading Royal Challengers Bangalore when they had a heated argument and then pushed each other after a fielding incident in a 2013 IPL match.

They were separated by their teammates. 

Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli in 2016

The infamous incident took place in IPL 2016 when KKR lost the match by nine wickets despite posting a total of 183 on board.

Gambhir threw the ball in a fit of rage at the non-stiker end, where Kohli was standing after completing his run. The incident resulted in an altercation between Gambhir, Kohli, and match officials.

Harbhajan Singh slaps S Sreesanth (2008)

It became a highlighted incident of the first edition of the Indian Premier League when Mumbai Indians bowler Harbhajan Singh slapped Kings XI Pujab bowler S Sreesanth.

It happened during a routine handshake when Mumbai lost the match to Punjab and the pacer reportedly made some comments that annoyed Harbhajan, who was leading Mumbai in the absence of regular skipper, Sachin Tendulkar.

Sreesanth could be seen weeping on screen after the incident. 

Mitchell Starc-Kieron Pollard (2014)

This is one of the worst incidents of the IPL when Mumbai Indians all-rounder Kieron Pollard threw a bat at Royal Challengers Bangalore bowler Mitchell Starc.

The bat, however, slipped from Pollard’s hands and didn’t hit the bowler. 

The incident happened when Starc sledged Pollard after unleashing a bouncer at him.

When Starc started his run-up for the next ball, Pollard tried to stop him, but the bowler bowled the ball eventually.

However, the altercation started between them and ended with Pollard throwing a bat at Starc.

Saurav Ganguly-Shane Warne clash in 2008

The war of words between KKR skipper Saurav Ganguly and Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne happened in 2008, less than a week after Harbhajan-Sreesanth slapgate.

Warne complained that Ganguly made Rajasthan team wait when he didn’t send KKR openers to bat for some time after the first innings.

Ganguly hit back at Warne saying that the spinner had no authority to complain since he himself has had a controversial career. 

Munaf Patel-Amit Mishra (2011) 

In IPL 2011, Deccan Chargers' Amit Mishra hit Mumbai Indians bowler Munaf Patel for back-to-back boundaries.

Patel lost his temper and had a verbal exchange with Mishra.

The umpire had to intervene to cool them down.

Harbhajan Singh-Ambati Rayudu (2016)

It was a strange incident since both players belonged to the same team, Mumbai Indians.

In a match against Rising Pune Supergiants, Saurabh Tiwary hit Harbhajan Singh for a boundary.

Ambati Rayudu put up a good effort but couldn’t stop the ball.

Harbhajan wasn’t impressed with Rayudu's effort and lashed out at him, who hit back at the spinner.