In 2019, Virat Kohli also defended Steve Smith after fans mocked him.©
Star India pacer Virat Kohli and Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq put their recent differences behind them with a warm embrace during their World Cup 2023 match in Delhi on Wednesday. Earlier this year, Kohli and Naveen were involved in a war of words during an IPL 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants. Following the aftermath of that incident, Naveen was often targeted by fans with pro-Kohli chants wherever he played in India.
While many had expected another confrontation between the two players, Kohli and Naveen ensured that there would be no more controversy for the viewers.
Naveen ran up to Kohli for a handshake during India’s successful chase at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, before the two shared a hug and smile.
This came especially after Kohli urged the crowd not to target Naveen by chanting his name. Naveen acknowledged the same and shook his hand.
After the match, we saw Kohli and Naveen having a chat.
For the record, this is not the first time that Kohli has asked the crowd not to focus on a player.
During the 2019 World Cup in England, Kohli’s sportsmanship was also on display after he asked fans not to mock Australian star Steve Smith.
For example, Smith was banned from cricket for a year due to his involvement in a ball-tampering scandal.
Smith played his first tournament since the incident and was greeted with loud cheers and boos by the fans.
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