'BCCI-IPL should crack the whip against misbehaviour' - Former BCCI GM Ratnakar Shetty condemns argument between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir

The controversial Match 43 of IPL 2023 between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore is making headlines in the cricketing fraternity as Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir got involved in a heated argument after the game. Following, RCB’s 18-run win over LSG, the temperatures soared in the middle as the duo were caught having a hostile face-off when both teams were exchanging pleasantries after the match.

Reacting to the entire drama that ensued on the field, former GM of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Ratnakar Shetty criticized the on-field behaviour of both the parties involved and urged BCCI to take strong action against such incidents as it can dent the image of the league.

“It’s time BCCI-IPL cracks the whip against misbehaviour on the field during IPL matches as it can dent the image of the league. It was sad to see the videos on social media highlighting these incidents. BCCI really does not require such publicity," Shetty wrote on his Twitter handle post the LSG vs RCB clash.

Ratnakar Shetty@RatnakarShetty6

It's time BCCI-IPL cracks the whip against misbehaviour on the field during IPL matches as it can dent the image of the league. It was sad to see the videos on the social media highlighting these incidents. BCCI really does not require such publicity.

11:58 AM · May 02, 2023

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Following their on-field altercation, both Kohli and Gambhir were fined 100% of their match fee while LSG player Naveen-ul-Haq, who also had a verbal spat with RCB batter during the match, was fined 50% for breaching IPL’s code of conduct.

Kohli and Naveen had a verbal spat during the 17^th over of the second innings which forced the umpire and LSG bowler Amit Mishra to intervene and calm down the RCB player.

Kohli silenced the crowd in Lucknow in celebration to reply to Gambhir

Notably, earlier in the game, Kohli was seen silencing the crowd in celebration after he took a catch at long-off to dismiss Krunal Pandya. The celebration is being reportedly termed as a reply to Gambhir who did a similar gesture in Bengaluru after LSG’s win over RCB during their first clash in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the altercation between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir is being condemned by the entire cricketing fraternity with several former cricketers criticizing their behaviour.

Notably, the duo has a history of heated moments between them as they were also involved in a verbal spat back in IPL 2013 during a match between RCB and KKR.