Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter Virat Kohli and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) mentor Gautam Gambhir were involved in an animated exchange after their IPL 2023 clash at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Monday (May 1).

During the game, Kohli also engaged in a war of words with LSG pacer Naveen-ul-Haq. The on-field aggression then spilled over to the post-match handshakes as Kohli and Naveen had another verbal spat

All hell broke loose after that as Gambhir was seen approaching Kohli aggressively with his players. With the duo facing off, Kohli was seen trying to pacify Gambhir but rather than cooling off, the matter started to boil over before the two Delhiites were separated by the players and support staff members of both sides.

After the game, former India pacer Sreesanth reacted to the heated altercation, saying that sportspersons should make sure that the white-line fever should stay inside the white line and end with the match.

"It's just that LSG lost at home very badly and Virat Kohli had a very good day. This happens when you are known for that aggression and because you are passionate. And he is actually explaining to Rahul exactly what happened. Maybe when Naveen was batting, Virat must have said something and Naveen must have reacted when he was about to shake hands. You can see it in his eyes, he did not mean it at all. The white-line fever should be inside the white line and not outside," Sreesanth said on Star Sports.

Things did look ugly in the middle and the three players involved were reprimanded by the match referee after the game. While Kohli and Gambhir were fined 100% of their match fees, Naveen copped 50% penalty for breaching the IPL code of conduct.

This is not the first time Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir had a verbal duel on the field. During the 2013 edition of IPL, Gambhir, the then captain of KKR, and Kohli were involved in an ugly spat.