Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said on Tuesday, May 2 that there needs to be striated punishments to ensure that spats like the one between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir don’t take place during Indian Premier League matches. Gavaskar said it was disappointing to see Gambhir and Kohli have a go at each other after the IPL 2023 match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Lucknow on Monday, May 1.

Bangalore successfully defended 126-9 in a low-scoring contest to exact revenge, and Kohli, well known for his combative nature, looked animated throughout the match, screaming, punching the air and gesturing to the Lucknow crowd with every dismissal.

When the players were shaking hands Kohli appeared to have a blunt exchange with Lucknow bowler Naveen-ul-Haq ,Gambhir was also seen pulling away LSG batter Kyle Mayers, who was having a chat with Kohli after the thrilling contest.

Kohli, 34, initially looked like he was trying to reason with Gambhir but the conversation became heated and the pair, who previously clashed in a 2013 IPL match, had to be separated by team mates.

Gambhir, 41, was fined 100% of his match fee for breaching the tournament’s code of conduct, organisers said in a statement, with Kohli handed a similar fine.

Both players admitted to their offence, they added.

Naveen was fined 50% of his match fee for his role in the altercation.