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[Watch] When Gautam Gambhir & Virat Kohli Had A Heated Face-Off During KKR vs RCB In IPL 2013

image-lp9kd1frGambhir and Kohli made a controversial face-off (Twitter)

Gautam Gambhir's emotional return to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a team mentor ahead of the IPL 2024 has revived great memories of his heyday as a captain and opening batter for the two-time champions. 

Fans fondly recall the passion and tactical nous with which the experienced cricketer led the KKR franchise to memorable triumphs in 2012 and 2014, transforming the popular but disappointing also-rans into one of the contenders of the coveted trophy. 

Gambhir was regarded highly for his captaincy and the leadership qualities that saw him back his players to the hill. He didn't shy away from ruffling the opposition's feathers either to get under their skin. An incident underlining his traits came back in the 2013 edition of the IPL during a league match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). 


When Gambhir And Kohli Indulged In Verbal Spat 

Playing at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the former KKR skipper indulged in the most heated face-off with his former Delhi and India teammate Virat Kohli. The initial snide taken at each other turned into a mouthful of abuse during the game and it required a timely intervention of the rest of the KKR players to ensure they don't cross the line. 

The incident that is still recalled on social media as the breeding ground for the alleged rift between the two individuals began when Gambhir said something to Kohli as the latter was out during the RCB run-chase. 

Back in IPL 2013, when Kohli got dismissed during the 10th over of the KKR bowling effort after an encouraging knock of 35 off 27 deliveries, he was given a send-off by Gambhir, which did not go down well with the modern-day giant and ugly scenes followed. 

The RCB skipper returned to give Gambhir a response, which led to a horrific altercation between the two stalwarts of Indian cricket and it required a physical intervention of the rest of the KKR players and Kohli's partner Chris Gayle to ensure the matter didn't escalate.