Ganguly’s surprising acknowledgement of Virat Kohli

The IPL 2023 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals at M Chinnaswamy Stadium underscored simmering tensions between Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly, hinting at an underlying rift. Speculation intensified when reports surfaced of the two unfollowing each other on Instagram. However, a year later, following RCB’s triumph over DC at the same venue, Ganguly extended a gesture of respect towards Kohli, indicating a possible thaw in their strained association.

The rift between Virat Kohli and Ganguly had been brewing since 2021, triggered by Kohli’s removal from the ODI captaincy, which sparked public sparring between him and the BCCI, then under Ganguly’s leadership. Kohli’s subsequent resignation from the Test captaincy in January 2022 further fueled speculation about their strained relationship.

During the IPL 2023 match, tensions escalated as Kohli and Ganguly exchanged intense stares, with Kohli later bypassing Ganguly during the customary post-match handshake. However, in the subsequent fixture at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, the two appeared to mend fences with a handshake.

In the latest encounter, Ganguly’s recognition of Kohli’s performance post-RCB’s victory was noteworthy. During the post-match handshake, Ganguly removed his cap, congratulated Kohli, who reciprocated with gratitude and a smile, before Ganguly resumed wearing his cap while greeting other RCB players.

RCB’s triumph against DC marked their fifth consecutive win in IPL 2024, propelling them to the fifth position in the points table and sustaining their playoff aspirations. Meanwhile, DC, sans Rishabh Pant due to a BCCI-imposed suspension, slipped to sixth place. The exchange between Kohli and Ganguly hints at a potential reconciliation, suggesting a shift in their dynamic and fostering optimism for a rejuvenated rapport between the two cricketing icons.

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