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Xtra Time Web Desk: Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir were once again involved in a heated exchange of words after RCB defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 18 runs at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Monday. It was a grudge match for Royal Challengers as they were beaten by LSG in the previous encounter between the two sides at M Chinnaswamy stadium on April 10. After the win LSG mentor Gambhir was seen putting his finger on his lips towards the Bengaluru crowd. It was Kohli’s turn as he did a similar gesture towards the Lucknow crowd after taking a catch off Krunal Pandya.

But the actual incident seemed to have originated when LSG’s Afghan pacer Naveen ul Haq started sledging Virat when he came in to bat during RCB’s run chase. Naveen seemed to have said something to Virat during the handshakes after the match not to the liking of the RCB star, who turned back and reciprocated.

As Kohli was walking back to the dugout, LSG opener Kyle Mayers walked up to him and started saying something. LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir came running towards Mayers and took him away. A little later Gambhir was seen having a heated exchange with Virat. The two had to be separated by Amit Mishra, RCB captain Faf du Plessis and LSG assistant coach Vijay Dahiya.

It was not the first time Kohli and Gambhir had an altercation during an IPL game. Ten years since that infamous argument between the two when they were leading their respective franchises RCB and KKR in Bengaluru, nothing has changed.

The last time when LSG and RCB clashed in Bengaluru in an IPL 2023 game, Gambhir had gestured towards the Bengaluru crowd with a 'shut up' sign. It is not clear whether Virat was reacting to that.