Current Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir has historically shared a frosty relationship with Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s poster boy Virat Kohli with both explosive personalities clashing with each other countless times on the field.
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In a video released by Star Sports ahead of the blockbuster RCB vs KKR clash on Friday, however, Gambhir’s comments indicated that there was no love lost between himself and the RCB franchise as well.
“One team which I wanted to beat every time and probably in my dreams was RCB,” Gambhir said.
When prodded by the anchor to divulge the reason, the 2-time IPL winning captain said, “Wanted to. Probably the second-most high-profile team and flamboyant team. The owner and the squad with Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. Not won anything, still thought they won everything. Can’t take that kind of an attitude.”
.@GautamGambhir thinks @RCBTweets have massively underachieved in the past despite having @imVkohli, @henrygayle and @ABdeVilliers17
Gambhir dreams of getting back on the field and beat Kohli & team yet again!
Don’t miss Gambhir’s Kolkata take on Virat’s Bangalore! … pic.twitter.com/Vvx6YNmqNS
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 29, 2024
“The three best wins KKR has had were against RCB. The first game of the IPL, Brendon McCullum against the RCB. 49 all out, RCB. 6-overs 100, probably the only time in the IPL that in the first 6 overs, 100 was scored. We always knew that they were a very strong side and probably the most aggressive batting unit as well. One thing I would love to have is again go on the cricket field and beat RCB,” he added.
Last season in the IPL, in a nailbiting finish in Bengaluru, Lucknow Super Giants pipped RCB by one wicket. Gambhir was there in the LSG dugout this team as the team mentor and the former India batter provoked the home crowd with a ‘finger on his lips’ response at them.
In the reverse fixture in Lucknow, Kohli returned the gesture to the Lucknow crowd after an 18-run win. An on-field tussle with LSG pacer Naveen-ul-Haq then carried on after the game. Kohli was then approached by LSG’s Kyle Mayers for a chat, when Gambhir intervened and pulled his player away from the RCB batter. Soon, the cameras caught Kohli and Gambhir in a heated exchange, prompting a host of players from both teams to hop in and control the situation.
The two were later seen in an embrace inside the dressing room.
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