The match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 1 at the Ekana Stadium was a low-scoring affair that was marked by a verbal altercation.
During the game, Virat Kohli, Naveen-ul-Haq and Gautam Gambhir got involved in a heated exchange of words. However, RCB captain Faf du Plessis had a different perspective on the situation.
Du Plessis stated that the aggressive version of Kohli was the best one, and he relished the sight of the ex-RCB skipper hyping up the Lucknow crowd, who were supporting the Bengaluru franchise. Kohli was animated throughout the game and displayed his intense and fiery attitude.
Du Plessis captain believes that Kohli was at his best during the match against LSG, and it was great to see him in full flow.
“Aggression is the best version of Virat, isn’t it? To see him pumped up like that, that’s when he is at his very best. So it is really awesome to be a part of it and my job is to keep things calm on the field, which I thought that I did really well,” Du Plessis chuckled during the post-match interview.
The Proteas star returned to the playing XI for the game and played a crucial role in RCB’s victory. He scored 44 runs off 40 balls and received the ‘Player of the Match’ award. Along with Kohli, he shared a 62-run partnership for the first wicket, which proved to be a match-winning effort.
Despite the aggressive demeanour of Kohli during the match, the Delhi-lad showed his sportsmanship and maturity after the game. He admitted to his mistake and accepted the 100% fine imposed on him for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. Kohli’s conduct during the game and his response to the situation after the match showcased his commitment to the spirit of the game.
The incident between Gambhir, Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq during the game was regrettable, but it was a reminder of the high-intensity and passion that the IPL generates among players and fans. Du Plessis’s comments on Kohli’s attitude indicate the value that a competitive and enthusiastic captain brings to the team.
