IPL 2023 [WATCH]: Fans chants “Kohli, Kohli” near LSG’s dugout after no-ball fiasco during SRH innings

During the IPL 2023 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Saturday, an unusual incident occurred as SRH fans chanted “Kohli, Kohli” near the LSG’s dugout. This incident took place after the Sunrisers were denied a no-ball call when Avesh Khan’s delivery went above the stumps in the penultimate over of SRH’s innings.

To exacerbate the situation, it was reported by commentators that the crowd even threw nuts and bolts at the Lucknow team’s dugout, adding to the unusual and unsportsmanlike behaviour exhibited by the fans.

It is worth noting that LSG has been embroiled in several controversies during this IPL season, including the verbal spat between Virat Kohli, the former captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Naveen-ul-Haq, an Afghanistan-based player for Lucknow, as well as team mentor Gautam Gambhir. The trio were fined for breaching the IPL code of conduct.

https://twitter.com/KohliFanVerse/status/1657354075485388804

Hyderabad crowd chanting "Kohli, Kohli".pic.twitter.com/TotVEx0clV

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 13, 2023

I was there in the moment !! pic.twitter.com/6K0DuHj8VN

— ManojTweets (@pasunoori_manoj) May 13, 2023

This recent incident in Hyderabad can be seen as an attempt by the SRH fans to mock the Lucknow team on behalf of Kohli, who commands a large and passionate fan base in the country. The fans’ actions, which included throwing inappropriate items, reflect a negative and unsporting behaviour that goes against the spirit of the game.

Nicholas Pooran powers Lucknow to victory

LSG showcased an exceptional batting performance as they secured a seven-wicket victory over SRH. Nicholas Pooran played a blistering innings, remaining unbeaten on 44 off just 13 balls with a staggering strike rate of 338.46. Alongside Pooran, Prerak Mankad contributed an unbeaten 64 off 45 deliveries, while Marcus Stoinis smashed 40 runs off 25 balls. The turning point of the match came in the 16th over when Stoinis and Pooran hammered part-time spinner Abhishek Sharma for five sixes, accumulating 31 runs in the process.

Earlier, the Sunrisers posted a challenging total of 182/6, courtesy of impressive knocks from Henrich Klaasen and Abdul Samad. The pair combined for a partnership of 58 runs off 40 balls before Klaasen was dismissed for 47 off 29 deliveries while attempting a big shot. Samad remained unbeaten on 37 off 25 balls, including one four and 4 sixes. Among the Lucknow bowlers, Krunal Pandya proved to be the most effective, claiming two wickets and conceding 24 runs in his four overs.