'Virat started abusing our players' - Amit Mishra reveals shocking details from Kohli, Naveen-ul-Haq spat during IPL 2023

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 saw a heated altercation between star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and Afghanistan seamer Naveen-ul-Haq, which quickly escalated into one of the season's most controversial incidents. Former India spinner Amit Mishra recently provided further insights as he was present during the confrontation.

The incident occurred during a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow.

What began as on-field tension spiraled into a post-match confrontation, which made then-LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir intervene. According to Mishra, the start of the conflict was in an earlier match in Bengaluru. 

“It all started in Bengaluru, where we (LSG) won the game and Gambhir expressed his aggression. The public was going mad, so Gautam gestured them to keep quiet. Probably Virat Kohli didn’t like that. We thought the matter ended with the game, but not for Kohli,” Mishra said on a YouTube podcast with Shubhankar Mishra.

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Naveen later came to the dressing and said that Kohli started abusing: Amit Mishra

Mishra's revelation suggests that Kohli's behavior in the subsequent match was unexpectedly aggressive. He said that Kohli targeted not just Naveen, but also other LSG players. 

“He started abusing our players (in the LSG vs RCB rematch in Lucknow). He didn’t have any grudges with Kyle Myers, but he abused him as well. Naveen-ul-Haq was bowling, he would abuse him too. Bohot cheezein avoid ho sakti thi but Virat Kohli ne nahi ki (Several things would have been avoided but Kohli didn’t do it),” he added.

“When I was batting with Naveen, I asked Kohli, ‘Who are you even talking to? He’s just a youngster and not even close to your stature. Whatever happened has happened.’ He answered back, saying, 'You make him understand that, not me,” he continued.

The situation escalated during the post-match handshakes. Mishra revealed that Kohli was heard abusing Naveen, which made Gambhir come in between and have a word with the RCB batter.

“But the problem began after the game. He (Kohli) started abusing him again during the customary handshakes. That’s when Gambhir intervened, questing why are you starting it again when the game has ended and you guys have won. I moved Gambhir away, but Naveen later came to the dressing and said that Kohli started abusing again,” Mishra further added.

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While recent images of Kohli and Naveen shaking hands during the 2024 IPL season suggest a public reconciliation, Mishra expressed doubts about the long-term impact of the incident. 

“For social media, it all seemed to be over between them. But do you think Naveen will respect Kohli ever again? What about the youngsters who saw the incident where a big star was abusing others,” Mishra concluded.