5 Times Virat Kohli's Competitive Spirit Led To On-Field Clashes

Virat Kohli never hides his emotions on the field (X)Virat Kohli never hides his emotions on the field (X)

When you think of Virat Kohli, two things immediately come to mind—his unparalleled brilliance with the bat and his fiery passion on the field. Known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, Kohli's aggressive approach to the game has often led to some of the most intense, unforgettable altercations in cricket history.

Whether it's taking on the fiercest bowlers or standing toe-to-toe with fellow captains, Kohli has never shied away from a confrontation. In this article, we take a deep dive into the top 5 Virat Kohli fights that had the cricketing world talking.

5. Kohli vs James Faulkner, 2016

5. Kohli vs James Faulkner, 2016 (X)5. Kohli vs James Faulkner, 2016 (X)

In an ODI series in 2016, James Faulkner tried his hand at sledging, hoping to rattle Kohli. The Australian bowler remarked, “You're wasting your energy, mate,” implying Kohli’s efforts were in vain.

But Kohli, known for never being short of words, calmly responded with a mic-drop moment: “I’ve smashed you enough in my life, just go and bowl.”

This wasn’t just a rebuttal; it was a statement of dominance. Kohli went on to score a fluent 117 in that match, ensuring Faulkner’s attempt to get under his skin backfired like a boomerang. Kohli’s response silenced the Australian bowler, marking yet another chapter in his supremacy over the Aussies.

4. Kohli vs Tim Paine, 2018

4. Kohli vs Tim Paine, 2018 (X)4. Kohli vs Tim Paine, 2018 (X)

The 2018 India-Australia series was nothing short of a battlefield, and Kohli’s skirmish with Australian captain Tim Paine during the Perth Test added fuel to an already fiery rivalry.

With tempers flaring, Kohli attempted to ruffle Paine’s feathers, taunting, “If he messes it up, it’s 2-0.” Paine, not one to back down, shot back with, “You’re the one that lost it, you’re the one that lost it.” The verbal volleys continued throughout the match, with both skippers engaged in a high-octane war of words, making it clear that neither was willing to give an inch.

The tension between them became a talking point, and though it didn’t escalate into anything physical, the verbal jousting was intense enough to add spice to an already heated series that India went on to win 2-1.

3. Kohli vs Gautam Gambhir, IPL 2013

3. Kohli vs Gautam Gambhir, IPL 2013 (X)3. Kohli vs Gautam Gambhir, IPL 2013 (X)

In a scene straight out of a drama, two of Delhi’s most passionate cricketers, Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, came head-to-head in a fiery clash during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders.

After Kohli was dismissed, the two exchanged some heated words, with tempers flaring like wildfire. The situation escalated so quickly that players had to intervene to separate the two. Gambhir, the then-captain of KKR, was visibly furious, while Kohli didn’t back down an inch.

The altercation grabbed headlines and became one of the most infamous moments in IPL history. The saying, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” couldn’t have been more apt for this showdown between two of Delhi’s most aggressive players.

2. Kohli vs Naveen-ul-Haq, IPL 2023

2. Kohli vs Naveen-ul-Haq, IPL 2023 (X)2. Kohli vs Naveen-ul-Haq, IPL 2023 (X)

IPL 2023 witnessed one of the most heated confrontations in recent memory during a clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants. After RCB’s victory, Kohli and LSG pacer Naveen-ul-Haq exchanged sharp words, causing a ruckus during the customary handshake.

Naveen refused to let go of Kohli’s hand, escalating the tension, and it all snowballed when Gautam Gambhir, now LSG’s mentor, jumped into the fray. The situation turned into an all-out war of words, with Kohli and Gambhir squaring off once again, much like in 2013.

As players from both sides tried to calm the situation, the damage was already done. Heavy fines followed, with Kohli and Gambhir both losing 100% of their match fees, and Naveen docked 50%. This showdown reminded everyone that bad blood doesn’t easily fade away, and in the high-stakes IPL, tempers can reach boiling point in the blink of an eye.

1. Kohli vs Mitchell Johnson, 2014

1. Kohli vs Mitchell Johnson, 2014 (X)1. Kohli vs Mitchell Johnson, 2014 (X)

The top spot in Kohli’s most explosive altercations has to go to his fiery face-off with Mitchell Johnson during the 2014 India-Australia Test series. During the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, Johnson, known for his aggressive bowling, threw the ball back at Kohli after he defended it, striking him on the body.

Kohli, never one to shy away from confrontation, was livid and let Johnson know in no uncertain terms. The situation reached boiling point as Kohli continued to exchange verbal volleys with Johnson throughout the day. Not only did Kohli stand his ground, but he also backed it up with his bat, going on to score a majestic 169.

Post-match, Kohli added fuel to the fire by stating that he had “no respect” for Johnson. This spat wasn’t just a battle of words—it was a clash of two powerhouses, both determined to dominate, making it one of Kohli’s most memorable on-field altercations.