Indian cricketing stalwarts Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir were engaged in an intense 'war of words' during Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. As the situation heated up, Virat and Gambhir were separated by players and umpires after RCB won the low-scoring thriller in Lucknow. The on-field spat between Virat and Gambhir started from an argument that took place between Lucknow Super Giants pacer Naveen-ul-Haq and Virat Kohli and later Gambhir joined in.
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Ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan lambasted Lucknow Super Giants coach Gautam Gambhir after his ugly fight with Virat, saying coaches should not get involved in on-field spats.
"I don't mind players having small confrontations. It's just the game. You don't wanna see it every day but I do not like seeing coaches get involved. I don't see why the coach or any part of the coaching department is involved in the game. What goes on the field stays on the field. If there is an argument between two players, they need to sort it out. Coaches should be in the dugout or the dressing room looking at strategies," Vaughan said at the post-match show on Cricbuzz.
Indian Premier League (IPL) organisers fined Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir with 100 per cent of their match fee for breaching IPL 2023 Code of Conduct. In an official release, IPL said Lucknow Super Giants Mentor Gautam Gambhir and Royal Challengers Bangalore batter Virat Kohli have been fined for breaching Level 2 offence under Article 2.21 of the IPL Code of Conduct.
Most likely, neither Gambhir nor Virat will pay whatever the amount for the fine will be from their pocket as most IPL franchises have a culture of paying their player’s fines. As per reports, Royal Challengers Bangalore reportedly pay Virat Kohli INR 15 crore for an IPL season. As far as LSG mentor Gambhir's salary is concerned, there are only speculations without any official confirmation on how much Lucknow pay him per season.