'Will make sure they hug each other' - Harbhajan Singh promises to put a stop to Virat Kohli-Gautam Gambhir feud after IPL 2023

Virat Kohli & Gautam Gambhir (left), Harbhajan Singh (right) (Source: Twitter)

The Indian Premier League 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium on Monday ended with ugly verbal sparring that shouldn't have happened in the "gentleman's game". Rather than RCB's 18-run win in a low-scoring thriller, a heated altercation between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir grabbed all the headlines.

Meanwhile, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, who earlier stated that "whatever happened between Virat And Gambhir was not right for cricket", has volunteered to mediate a settlement between the two Delhi players. The 'Turbanator' said he will make sure Kohli and Gambhir meet and hug each other after the IPL 2023 season ends.

The verbal spat between two greats of the game was one of the worst incidents in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Many video clips are circulating on social media that show LSG pacer Naveen-Ul-Haq and Kohli initiating the procedures, which escalated when their mentor Gambhir became involved.

According to a PTI report, an eyewitness to the brawl, who was in one of the team dugouts, said it all started when LSG opener Kyle Mayers asked Kohli why he was constantly abusing him and the team. The witness also revealed the conversation between Kohli and Gambhir in which the latter warns the former RCB captain not to say anything to his players, whom he considered his "family". In reply to the left-hander, Kohli said, "Then you take care of your family."

Speaking on his YouTube channel on Wednesday, Bhaji said: “I’ll make sure Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir meet and hug each other after the IPL. The fight will end."

Following the incident, Harbhajan posted a video on Tuesday urging Kohli and Gambhir to come out in peace. Bhaji also recalled the IPL 2008 incident in which he slapped former Indian pacer Sreesanth on the ground. However, the 42-year-old said he was ashamed of what he had done and told Virat and Gambhir not to involve in such things.