World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli melts Naveen ul Haq's heart with gesture burying IPL rivalry

Internet users were expecting another verbal war between Virat Kohli and Naveen ul Haq as India and Afghanistan were taking on each other. However, they were shocked to see the rivalry taking a u-turn and both players keeping their differences aside to share a warm hug.

New Delhi: Indian cricket team made a mockery of the target set by Afghanistan here on Wednesday thanks to Rohit Sharma's belligerent knock of 131 runs. The Indian skipper smashed a plethora of records throughout his knock. However, his knock was not the only moment which send spectators in to awe but they were shocked to see fierce rivals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) share a heartwarming gesture.

Ahead of the fixture, many were expecting to see another verbal spat or heated moment between star batter Virat Kohli and pacer Naveen ul Haq as the duo had shared such a moment before as well in the IPL while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants respectively. However, the scenario was completely opposite of what audiences had expected and the duo won many hearts thanks to their heartwarming gesture.

Naveen and Virat Kohli shook hands with each other and shared a hug. Also, both the players had bright smile on their faces. The video went viral on the social media soon and both the cricketers were praised for their actions.

One X user named shivVK_ wrote: This is why cricket is more than a game !! Sayam_Ahmad_ wrote: Virat Kohli and Naveen ul haq shaking hand with each other. We weren't ready for this! A third wrote, Bowler - Naveen UL Haq Batsman - Virat Kohli Commentator - Gautam Gambhir talking about Virat Kohli and Naveen Ul Haq.

There was also a netizen, who praised the duo saying that they showed that cricket is more than a game. "Virat Kohli and Naveen Ul Haq..This is why cricket is more than a game..

• Virat 🤝 Naveen
  
  In the King's realm, grudges find no place 🫂
  
  📸: Star Sports#PlayBold #INDvAFG #TeamIndia #IndianCricket #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/DrmlVzaxqy

  — Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 11, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Virat 🤝 Naveen
  
  In the King's realm, grudges find no place 🫂
  
  📸: Star Sports#PlayBold #INDvAFG #TeamIndia #IndianCricket #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/DrmlVzaxqy

  — Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 11, 2023

  ">

  Virat 🤝 Naveen
  
  In the King's realm, grudges find no place 🫂
  
  📸: Star Sports#PlayBold #INDvAFG #TeamIndia #IndianCricket #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/DrmlVzaxqy

  — Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 11, 2023

The Afghanistan pacer and Kohli were involved in an ugly spat in the IPL earlier this year and they let bygones be bygones with a warm shakehand and a hug during their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup game here on Wednesday.

The duo was engaged in a heated exchange during the IPL when Naveen came to bat for the home team Lucknow Super Giants' tense chase against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

• Same vibes 👊🫂
  
  📸: Star Sports/ FIFA #PlayBold #INDvAFG #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/zOGLEd1usg

  — Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 11, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Same vibes 👊🫂
  
  📸: Star Sports/ FIFA #PlayBold #INDvAFG #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/zOGLEd1usg

  — Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 11, 2023

  ">

  Same vibes 👊🫂
  
  📸: Star Sports/ FIFA #PlayBold #INDvAFG #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/zOGLEd1usg

  — Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) October 11, 2023

Back then, it escalated into a massive controversy as they took their altercation to the next level in the customary post match handshake. KL Rahul intervened and later LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir was too seen fuming on the field.

On Wednesday, chants of 'Kohli Kohli' welcomed Naveen when he came into the bowl. Kohli was seen taking a couple of steps towards the gallery which was chanting his name and signalled the crowd to stop chanting.

Naveen thoroughly enjoyed the lighter moment. Naveen clarified that their bitter encounter from the IPL did not go beyond the boundary ropes.

"Crowd will chant for their home cricketers and that is what they did. It is his (Kohli's) home ground. He is a nice guy, a good player and we shook hands. It (what happened) was always in the ground, it was nothing outside the ground. People make it big. They need that stuff for their followers. He said (today) 'we are done with that and I said yes we are done with that. We shook hands and hugged," PTI quoted Naveen as saying.

Earlier in the match, Kohli is said to have avoided Afghanistan's Naveen-ul-Haq after facing a delivery, AP reported sharing a picture along with it.