'Every player has right to fight for respect': Gambhir's milion-dollar reaction to Kohli-Naveen hug

In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship and reconciliation, Indian cricket star Virat Kohli put an end to his feud with Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq during a riveting ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 match between India and Afghanistan. The encounter took place at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, and the heart-melting moment left fans and the cricketing world touched by the power of sports to bridge differences.

3 things you need to know

• India defeated Afghanistan by 8 wickets to win their second match of the ODI World Cup 2023
• Batting first, Afghanistan posted 272/8 in 50 overs with Hashmatullah Shahidi hitting 80
• India then chased down the total with 90 balls remaining. Rohit scored a century

Also Read: IND vs AFG: Virat Kohli shows big heart, ends bitter rift with Naveen-ul-Haq with a hug - WATCH

Gautam Gambhir's reaction to Virat Kohli-Naveen-ul-Haq handshake

The rift between Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq had its roots in a heated altercation that occurred earlier in the year during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants. The incident had taken a fiery turn, involving not only the players but also LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir, who was seen exchanging bitter words with Kohli after the IPL game.

However, the ODI World Cup brought about a remarkable turn of events. During India's innings, as the match was in full swing, the crowd was treated to a truly heartening sight. Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq were seen embracing and shaking hands in a gesture that conveyed reconciliation and forgiveness. Naveen-ul-Haq made his way toward Kohli, signaling an apparent desire to put the past behind them.

Gautam Gambhir, who was closely connected with the earlier altercation between Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq, shared his thoughts on the heartwarming development while commentating during the match. He stated, "You fight on the ground, not outside of it. Every player has the right to fight for his team, fight for respect, and fight for the win. You always fight for your team, fight for respect, and fight for the win no matter where you are from. The good news is that Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq put an end to their feud."

Gambhir also took the opportunity to address cricket fans both at the stadium and on social media. He emphasized the importance of respecting the passion and dedication that players bring to the field when representing their teams. He added, "It is not okay to troll someone or call them names because when they're representing a team, they show their passion in every way. He was playing in his debut IPL season. It's a big deal coming from a nation like Afghanistan."

The heartwarming gesture between Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq serves as a reminder that cricket is not just a game; it is a platform for fostering mutual respect, unity, and the spirit of camaraderie. As the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 continues to captivate fans worldwide, this moment will undoubtedly stand out as a powerful example of the power of sports to bring people together, irrespective of their past differences and backgrounds.