Sanjiv Goenka said, “Told Naveen that we are there to support you after spat with Kohli
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka recently addressed the verbal spat between Virat Kohli and Naveen ul Haq that occurred during the IPL 2023. The incident took place during Match 43 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and LSG in Lucknow, where Kohli and Naveen had a heated exchange, which escalated to involve LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir. Following the altercation, all three were fined by the BCCI.
In a podcast, Goenka expressed his support for Naveen, stating, “That situation took place during a game. I will not comment on whether it was right or wrong. I just told Naveen that if you need any support or are feeling Insecure, we are here for you.” He encouraged Naveen to respond positively through his performance, saying, “If I was in your position, I would have said – You said this to me. Now I will bowl in such a manner that I will take all of your team’s wickets.”
The rivalry between Kohli and Naveen was later resolved during the ODI World Cup 2023 match between India and Afghanistan. Kohli welcomed Naveen with chants from the crowd but urged them not to target him, culminating in a warm embrace that signified the end of their feud. Goenka remarked on the importance of maintaining sportsmanship amidst competitive tensions.