 "Watch: Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir share a hug with a smile during RCB-KKR clash in Bengaluru")
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) meeting in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) turned out to be a memorable encounter for many a reason.
While West Indian all-rounder Sunil Narine celebrated his 500th T20 appearance on Friday with a Player of the Match-winning performance and KKR ended up becoming the first team to win away from home this season, Virat Kohli continued his fine form this season by bringing up a second consecutive half-century.
Ahead of the meeting between the two heavyweight franchises, there were those eager to see how RCB’s Dinesh Karthik and KKR’s Mitchell Starc performed against their former franchises, finding themselves on the other side this season.
There even were a few, including former India pacer Varun Aaron who had represented both franchises in the IPL, who were expected another on-field exchange between RCB star batter Virat Kohli and KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir, who have had many a run-in in the past including last season, when the latter was mentoring Lucknow Super Giants.
On Friday, however, fans at the Chinnaswamy as well as those watching live action on TV or online were in for a pleasant surprise. The two Delhi lads, who have had an icy relationship with one another over the years, appeared to have buried the hatchet by hugging each other on the field.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsWatch:
Our favourite strategic timeout ever 🫂#IPLonJioCinema #RCBvKKR #TATAIPL #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/A50VPhD6RI
— JioHotstar Reality (@HotstarReality) March 29, 2024
The incident took place during the drinks interval in the RCB innings after KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer opted to field, and will certainly have come as great news for supporters of Indian cricket, especially those who are a fan of both Kohli and Gambhir.
Kohli would end up smashing an unbeaten 83 off 59 deliveries, his second fifty on the trot and his 52nd overall in the IPL. The knock, however, would ultimately go in vain as KKR, powered by an explosive half-century from Venkatesh Iyer (50) and a 22-ball 47 from all-rounder Sunil Narine, ended up chasing the target down with seven wickets and more than three overs to spare.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
