WATCH: Gautam Gambhir's death stare to spectators as they chant 'Kohli... Kohli' after LSG book a playoffs berth

Gautam Gambhir (Source: Twitter)

Lucknow Super Giants registered a thrilling last-ball victory over Kolkata Knight Riders to book a playoff seat in the Indian Premier League 2023 on Saturday. While Rinku Singh posed a big threat to LSG, they managed to sneak in a 1-run victory.

LSG faced a tough challenge from the relentless Eden Gardens crowd during the second innings, with constant "Virat Kohli" chants echoing in their ears. The unforgettable events of May 1 in Lucknow still resonate with fans, who occasionally use it as a tactic to unsettle the LSG players. However, on Saturday, Naveen-ul-Haq finally had his moment to silence the Kolkata crowd, emulating Gautam Gambhir. The LSG mentor also seized the opportunity following the exhilarating victory on the last ball.

When LSG skipper Krunal Pandya gave the new ball to Naveen in the second over of Kolkata Knight Riders' chase, the chanting of 'Kohli' began. The Eden Gardens fans showed no respect with their yells, which were stronger than what Naveen endured earlier this week at home in Lucknow and during the match versus Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad.

Later in that innings, after Ravi Bishnoi had taken a brilliant catch to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen, who had sprinted in from the deep to provide cover, looked back at the crowd and shushed them, just as Gambhir had done to the Chinnaswamy crowd after the team's win against RCB last month.

A huge 'Kohli' chant erupted out near that stand at the end of the game, as Gambhir was making his way back into the dressing room. The LSG mentor gave them a death stare and gestured for them to turn down the sound. A video of the same has gone viral on the internet.

Here is Gautam Gambhir's video

This is crowd of KKR, what if RCB vs LSG ELIMINATOR happen.

RCB fans eat Gautam and Naveen at Chepauk.🔥🥵pic.twitter.com/9OjqzfGvsW

— Lokesh Saini 🚩 (@LokeshViraat18K) May 21, 2023

In the meantime, LSG has advanced to the playoffs, becoming the third team to do so after the Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. They did not, however, finish in the top two, thus they will compete in the Eliminator. Depending on the outcome of the final two league games of the IPL 2023, LSG might meet RCB.