The cricket world has been set ablaze with the latest controversy surrounding Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly, with the two former captains embroiled in a no-handshake-stare-down scandal that has taken the focus away from the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals. The feud between the two icons has been widely reported in the past, but the tension has resurfaced once again following their teams’ IPL 2023 clash on Saturday.
After RCB’s victory, three videos of the match went viral on social media, with one showing Kohli staring down Ganguly from the RCB dugout two overs before the team’s triumph. The second video captured the DC director of cricket skipping a handshake with Kohli while greeting RCB players. The next day, a new video surfaced where Ganguly appeared to ignore Kohli as he sat ready to open for the match, whereas other DC players and support staff greeted the batter. Kohli went on to solidify the rumours of a possible rift by unfollowing Ganguly on Instagram, and Ganguly followed suit by unfollowing Kohli the next day.
The fallout between the two cricketing heroes dates back to the November 2021 incident when Kohli was removed from ODI captaincy, and it is clear that neither has moved on. The controversy has sparked a heated debate among cricket fans, with ‘social media sleuths’ fanning the flames by analyzing the videos in great detail and speculating about the cause of the rift.
While it is uncertain what led to the confrontation between the two players, it is clear that the incident has overshadowed the match and has left a lasting impression on fans. The ‘gentleman’s game’ of cricket is known for its sportsmanship and fair play, but incidents like this can tarnish the image of the sport and undermine its values.
Cricket has evolved in recent years, and social media has played a significant role in shaping the sport’s image. With the rise of platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, players are under constant scrutiny, and their actions both on and off the field are subject to intense scrutiny from fans and critics alike. In the case of Kohli and Ganguly, social media has amplified their feud and created a media frenzy around the issue.
After RCB’s 23-run victory over Delhi Capitals on Saturday, three videos became the match’s highlight and went viral on social media. One showed Kohli staring Ganguly down, while the latter was sitting in the DC dugout, two overs before RCB’s triumph. The second video captured the DC director of cricket bypassing coach Ricky Ponting to greet the RCB players — and in the process, skipping a handshake with Kohli.
The incident highlights the need for players to maintain decorum and sportsmanship both on and off the field. While it is natural for players to have disagreements and differences of opinion, it is important for them to resolve their issues in a mature and professional manner. The actions of players can have a significant impact on the sport’s image and can influence the behavior of young fans who look up to them as role models.
In conclusion, the Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly feud has created a controversy that has overshadowed the match between RCB and DC. While it is uncertain what led to the confrontation between the two players, it is clear that the incident has left a lasting impression on fans and has undermined the values of the sport. As cricket continues to evolve, it is important for players to maintain decorum and sportsmanship both on and off the field to preserve the integrity of the game.
