Afghanistan seamer Naveen-ul-Haq has once again opened up about his heated rivalry with Virat Kohli during the IPL 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants.

Both Naveen-ul-Haq and Virat Kohli were involved in a war of words on the field after Kohli supposedly sledged Naveen during the game. The fight went on to the next level when LSG mentor at that time, Gautam Gambhir, also got involved in the incident after the game.

Naveen-ul-Haq Virat Kohli. Image Credits: X

As expected Naveen was brutally trolled everywhere for getting involved in a fight with Indian cricket’s biggest superstar at the moment. He was even trolled on social media through various platforms. He was repeatedly bullied when he arrived at the ground.

However, during the ODI World Cup 2023 match between India and Afghanistan in Delhi, both Naveen and Kohli hugged each other to put an end to this mouth-watering rivalry. By hugging Naveen, Kohli supposedly said that the crowd wouldn’t bully him anymore.

Naveen-ul-Haq remembers the heated rivalry with Virat Kohli in the IPL

In a video uploaded by Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 team Texas Super Kings on social media, Naveen-ul-Haq remembered those moments when he got involved in a brawl with Virat Kohli.

The fast bowler clearly stated that it was just in the heat of the moment. He also added that both players were passionate and were looking to give their all for the franchise, which probably led to such a moment.

“I don’t have the counts of it but many times now (when asked how many times have you been asked about this incident before). I have been asked about it and I’ve made it clear also. It was in the heat of the moment. He was representing his franchise (and) I was playing for my franchise. That’s what I do. If it’s for my country or for my franchise, I will give it all,” Naveen-ul-Haq said in the video uploaded by TSK.

Social media keeps going on till they get something out of it – Naveen-ul-Haq

Naveen also blamed social media for not forgetting the incident and trying to create headlines. He added that the rivalry came to an end in the ODI World Cup 2023.

“I won’t back down and then at the end of the day, we are all players. Some of us are close friends and some of us are just colleagues and players. We just brush it out and it’s nothing that personal to continue out of the field. But yeah, the social media nowadays, it keeps going on and on till they get something out of it. But in the ODI World Cup, it finished once and for all,” Naveen concluded.

Naveen-ul-Haq is currently representing Texas Super Kings in the MLC 2024. He is having an ordinary tournament so far with just 1 wicket in four matches so far at an average of 116 and an economy rate of 9.66. The right-arm seamer played a key role in Afghanistan’s road to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024.