Naveen Ul Haq got an amusing welcome from his Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2024) franchise Barbados Royals. He was trolled by his franchise using Virat Kohli references.
Naveen and Kohli have a long history of feuding, dating back to their heated brawl during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow.
However, the two players reconciled with a heartfelt hug during India's ODI World Cup 2023 match against Afghanistan in Delhi.
Naveen's CPL franchise, the Barbados Royals, used this to humorous effect, which they shared on social media. Ahead of CPL 2024, the Barbados Royals' social media team shared a colorful, lighthearted film about the entire incident.
The video begins with Naveen, who will represent the Rovman Powell-led team in the league, checking his phone and seeing clips of popular YouTuber IShowSpeed expressing his admiration for Kohli. The right-arm pacer locks his phone and wears a grim frown.
Then he gets up and begins to walk till he notices a paper cutting on the wall with the words 'Ben Stokes' on it. The England Test captain's name is associated with Kohli because it sounds similar to an Indian profanity that the latter occasionally employs on the field.
Naveen continued his stroll, shaking his head when he noticed the paper with Ben Stokes written on it.
Finally, he calls the receptionist from his hotel room and asks for the channel where he can watch the CPL. He receives the reply "Channel No. 18". Kohli wears No. 18 on his shirt.
Naveen hangs up the phone, saying, "Bas karo yaar, ab kuch to naya dhoondo [Stop it, guys, now find something new]."