Former India cricketer Amit Mishra has revealed, among other things, that it was Gautam Gambhir who ended the long-standing feud with Virat Kohli by walking up to the RCB batter and hugging him during an IPL 2024 clash.
The two Delhi players have a long history, which was seemingly resolved when Gambhir, then the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders, walked up to Kohli during an IPL game this year at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
During one of the timeouts in RCB’s innings when Kohli was still batting, Gambhir went to him and extended his arms. The two then side-hugged each other and smiled before engaging in a small conversation. It put an end to numerous speculations about the strained bond the two shared after matters had heated up in 2023 when Gambhir, working with Lucknow Suoer Giants, and Kohli found themselves at each other’s throats.
Gambhir has since then been named the head coach of the Indian team, with his first assignment being India’s tour of Sri Lanka beginning on July 27.
Mishra: Kohli did not go to Gautam, it was the other way round
Mishra, who played under Gambhir in Lucknow Super Giants last year, suggested it was the left-hander who decided to put the past behind and hugged Kohli during the game. In a lengthy podcast with journalist Shubhankar Mishra, he gave a detailed insight into the Gambhir-Kohli incident last year, which also involved Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq.
“It started in Bangalore, where we won a last over game. Gambhir showed a bit of a rush [gestured the crowd to go silent] because the public were also misbehaving. In the end, when we won, he signalled them to keep quiet because we won. Maybe Kohli did not like that.
"There were a few things Kohli said in that match, but the matter ended there. But, we did not know Kohli would be carrying the incident with him. In the next match, he started abusing our players, whoever it was. He does not have any enmity with Kyle Mayers but was saying things to him when he was out.
“Naveen was bowling, he was saying things to him too. He said a few things to other players too and was signalling to the crowd as well. Things could have been avoided. When I was batting with Naveen, I told him, 'why are you engaging in this?'”
Mishra continued: “The problem arose when the match ended, during the customary handshakes when Gmabhir came out and Kohli kept saying things. When the match has ended and you have won, why are you starting it again? Later Naveen said Kohli kept telling things to him after the game. As a senior player, why are you carrying things on?”
Mishra revealed it was Gambhir who decided to sort things out with Kohli next year. “A good thing about Gautam is, Kohli did not go to Gautam, it was the other way round. Gautam showed his goodness in that moment when Kohli should have first gone up to him.”
Virat Kohli and Naveen ul-Haq's stories on Instagram 👀
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) May 2, 2023
The clash is still going on 😑#GautamGambhir #ViratKohli #IPL2023 #Cricket #LSGvsRCB #NaveenulHaq pic.twitter.com/I3nRt2yAe7
Mishra on Gill’s captaincy: Lacks ideas
Gill recently led India to a 4-1 win in the Zimbabwe T20I series but several tactical errors were highlighted. Mishra has said he remains unimpressed with his leadership skills. ”I would not have made him the captain. You saw the IPL this season, Gill doesn't know how to captain the side, he is clueless. Just because he is a part of the Indian team, he shouldn't be made the captain.
“I feel Ruturaj is a better option because he has scored runs in tougher situations, be it for Chennai Super Kings or during the Asian Games. He is a good option and should be kept with the team, the way Yashasvi Jaiswal was with the Indian side at the T20 World Cup. He is someone who can deliver in T20Is, ODIs and Tests.”
On age-fudging: Mishra reveals when he made his India debut
Mishra revealed he was 22 years old when he made his debut for India in 2003, instead of the 21 that was widely reported. “Let me tell you, I have a one-year discrepancy, and my coach helped with that. I didn't even know about it.
"The coach called my home and asked for one more year for me. It was quite an emotional story. I was surprised and asked, 'How?' He said, 'From today, you are one year younger; now you have two more years.' I agreed," said Mishra.
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