The IPL 2023 showdown between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals at M Chinnaswamy Stadium illuminated the brewing tensions between Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly, suggesting an underlying discord. Rumors gained traction when reports emerged of the two unfollowing each other on Instagram. However, a year later, after RCB’s victory over DC at the same venue, Ganguly’s gesture towards Kohli hinted at a possible easing of their strained relationship.
The schism between Kohli and Ganguly had its roots in 2021 when Virat Kohli was ousted from the ODI captaincy, triggering public spats between him and the BCCI, then under Ganguly’s helm. Kohli’s subsequent resignation from the Test captaincy in January 2022 added fuel to speculations about their strained ties.
During the IPL 2023 match, tensions flared as Kohli and Ganguly exchanged intense gazes, followed by Kohli bypassing Ganguly during the customary post-match handshake. However, in the subsequent fixture at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, the duo seemed to reconcile with a handshake.
In the recent encounter, Ganguly’s acknowledgment of Kohli’s performance post-RCB’s victory was significant. During the post-match handshake, Ganguly removed his cap, extended congratulations to Kohli, who responded with gratitude and a smile, before Ganguly resumed wearing his cap while greeting other RCB players.
RCB’s win against DC marked their fifth consecutive victory in IPL 2024, elevating them to fifth place in the points table and bolstering their playoff prospects. Meanwhile, DC, missing Rishabh Pant due to a BCCI-imposed suspension, slipped to sixth place. The exchange between Kohli and Ganguly suggests a potential reconciliation, indicating a shift in their dynamics and fostering hope for a renewed camaraderie between the two cricketing luminaries.
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