Beef Over? Kohli-Gambhir's Surprise Hug During RCB Vs KKR Brings End to War Memes

The IPL 2024 showdown between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was hyped as the ‘el classico’ between KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli. Their first encounter since the infamous night in Lucknow last year had cricket enthusiasts on the edge, expecting sparks to fly and the internet to explode at the slightest hint of confrontation.

However, Friday delivered a plot twist no one saw coming as the so-called ‘rivals’ buried the hatchet with an internet-breaking hug during the RCB vs KKR match. Amidst the timeout after the 16th over, Kohli and Gambhir shared a warm embrace and a brief chat, followed by exchanged smiles. As Kohli refreshed himself with water, Gambhir, presumably to congratulate him for his half-century, greeted him with a hug. Smiles exchanged, tensions dissolved, and the anticipated feud fizzled out into a surprising display of sportsmanship.

Also Read: ‘Bahar Mil’: Viral Pic of Kohli-Gambhir’s Spat in IPL 2023 Has Become Most Delhi Moment Ever

In fact, their amicable exchange that put an end to the fervent anticipation doused the flames of ‘excitement’ that had been stoked by fans awaiting a heated confrontation. Memes flooded social media, humorously depicting the disappointment of those who had eagerly awaited a clash of titans, now left without material for their ‘Gambhir vs Kohli’ memes.

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For those unfamiliar with the backstory, during an IPL 2023 match, Kohli had a confrontation with LSG bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, prompting umpire intervention. Later, an intense handshake between Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq followed. Shortly after, an altercation erupted between Kohli and Gambhir, with both charging at each other before players intervened to separate them. The BCCI severely penalised all three players for their conduct.

Also Read: Virat Kohli-Gautam Gambhir’s Verbal Spat During LSG vs RCB Inspires Furious Memes on Twitter

Building up to this year’s match, a KKR practice session video captured Kohli giving Gambhir an icy stare, fueling anticipation for more than just a match, which ironically ended with a heartwarming embrace.

Nevertheless, under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, KKR outshone Faf du Plessis’s RCB, securing a seven-wicket victory despite Kohli’s valiant 83 off 59 balls, compounding Bengaluru’s woes.