IPL 2024: Virat Kohli-Gautam Gambhir hug it out during RCB-KKR tie in Bengaluru – Watch Video

IPL 2024 has brought a few memorable moments for the fans, but Virat Kohli hugging Gautam Gambhir is perhaps the best. This out-of-the-blue incident happened during the strategic timeout during RCB’s innings, when Virat was batting, and Gambhir hopped onto the field to give some pep talk to KKR players. Two Delhi boys met generously and hugged it out in a lighter yet beautiful moment. 

For those wondering what makes two former India cricketers hugging it out on the field special, be told that these two stalwarts have been involved in a couple of famous verbal volleys in this competition. From the days when Gautam was leading KKR and Virat was a youngster on the RCB side, both have got on each other’s nerves a couple of times.

The most famous incident happened during the 2013 edition, where after Kohli’s dismissal, Gautam gave him a fiery send-off, irking Kohli to revert, leading to both getting onto each other’s faces. It took more than two players to separate these two.

However, the latest instance occurred during last season, when LSG mentor Gautam approached Virat after the latter got involved in a heated argument with their overseas bowler, Naveen-ul-Haq, during the game. That clip also broke the internet as both teams rushed into that moment to separate both.

Moreover, Gautam, during a pre-recorded interview with Star Sports ahead of the RCB vs KKR tie, admitted that throughout his career, he always wanted to beat RCB, be it as a player, captain, mentor or coach. Detailing more on this, Gambhir said RCB hasn’t won anything in 16 years in this competition and yet carries the attitude of a team that has won several accolades.

Batting first, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 182 for six in 20 overs, with their star batter Virat Kohli remaining unbeaten on 83 off 59 balls, hitting four sixes and as many fours. 

However, the touring KKR side made a mockery of this chase, winning it inside 17 overs with seven wickets remaining. Beginning from the openers – Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, the pair smashed RCB bowlers to all parts of the ground, striking at over 150. Venkatesh Iyer completed a fifty, and Captain Shreyas Iyer remained unbeaten on 39 off 24 balls. 

With this win, KKR bagged two crucial points, while RCB is yet to open its account this season.