Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq’s recent comments have reignited memories of his infamous altercation with Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli during the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). The on-field spat between the two players became a major talking point of the tournament.
During a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow, Kohli and Naveen engaged in a heated argument. The incident escalated when Gautam Gambhir, LSG’s mentor at the time, intervened and clashed with Kohli.
Following the incident, Naveen and Kohli met in Delhi during Afghanistan’s ODI World Cup match against India in October 2023. The duo surprised fans by embracing and seemingly resolving their differences. However, the journey between the spat and the reunion was marked by Naveen’s frequent digs at Kohli.
In a recent interview with ESPNCricinfo, Naveen was asked a witty question: “Never eat a mango again or never take a five-for?” Naveen’s amusing response was, “Never eat a mango again.” He also expressed his preference to bat with Kohli rather than bowl to him.
Naveen’s comments come after he was released from LSG’s squad ahead of the upcoming IPL season. LSG retained Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi, along with uncapped stars Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni.
It remains to be seen whether RCB will target Naveen in the upcoming mega auctions. The young Afghan pacer’s performances and his history with Kohli could make him an intriguing prospect for the Bangalore-based franchise.
