A year ago, tensions between Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly surfaced during an IPL 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (then Bangalore) and Delhi Capitals at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Their actions hinted at underlying issues between the two, exacerbated by reports of them unfollowing each other on Instagram.
History of Strained Relations between Sourav Ganguly and Virat Kohli
The rift between Virat Kohli and Ganguly had been brewing for some time. In 2021, shortly after stepping down from T20I leadership, Kohli faced removal from ODI captaincy, leading to public disagreements with the BCCI administration under Ganguly’s leadership. Kohli’s subsequent resignation from Test captaincy in January 2022 further strained their relationship.
Past Incidents Highlight Discord
During IPL 2023, tensions flared when Virat Kohli exchanged a tense glance with Ganguly, then Delhi Capitals’ director of cricket, and later avoided shaking hands with him after the match against RCB. However, a gesture of reconciliation occurred during a later match at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, where Kohli and Ganguly shared a post-match handshake.
A Year Later: A Gesture of Reconciliation
Fast forward to the present, and Ganguly’s recent actions have stirred discussions once again. After RCB’s victory over DC at the same venue, Ganguly exhibited a gesture of utmost respect towards Kohli. During the customary post-match handshake, Ganguly removed his cap and congratulated Kohli, who responded with a smile and a ‘Thank you’. Ganguly then replaced his cap when greeting the rest of the RCB players.
Significance of the Moment
RCB’s triumph against DC marked their fifth consecutive victory in the IPL 2024 tournament, propelling them to the fifth position in the points table and keeping their playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, DC, missing Rishabh Pant due to a BCCI-imposed suspension for breaching IPL Code of Conduct, slipped to sixth place.
In conclusion, Ganguly’s respectful gesture towards Kohli serves as a symbolic moment, potentially indicating a thawing of tensions and a step towards reconciliation between the two cricketing icons. As the IPL season progresses, the dynamics between Kohli and Ganguly continue to evolve, leaving fans curious about the future of their relationship on and off the field.
