Naveen-ul-Haq, the Afghanistan cricketer, has once again found himself in the spotlight due to his infamous clash with Indian cricket star Virat Kohli during the IPL 2023. Though the incident is two years old, it continues to haunt Naveen, and now, his own team in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has decided to have some fun with it.
Naveen, who is currently in the West Indies to play for the Barbados Royals in the upcoming CPL, became the target of a light-hearted prank by his teammates. The CPL, which has been a popular T20 league since its inception in 2013, is set to kick off its 12th edition on August 30, 2024, with six teams competing for the title.
Barbados Royals’ Prank: Virat Everywhere!
Ahead of the tournament, the Barbados Royals shared a playful video on social media, showing how the memory of Virat Kohli seems to follow Naveen wherever he goes. In the video, whether it’s on his phone, in his hotel room, or through a suggestion by room service, Virat Kohli is a constant presence. The situation becomes so overwhelming that Naveen, visibly tired of the reminders, finally says, “Enough, friend, now find something new.”
Fans React: A Mix of Laughter and Memories
The video quickly gained traction online, with fans flooding the comment section with humorous responses. Some appreciated the prank as a creative way to promote the league, while others couldn’t resist reminiscing about the heated encounter between Naveen and Virat in IPL 2023. Some fans even jokingly referred to Virat Kohli as a “fear factor” for Naveen, highlighting how the rivalry has become a significant part of cricket banter.
The Backstory: A Clash That Still Resonates
The root of this ongoing saga dates back to IPL 2023, when a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) saw a heated exchange between Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq. The situation escalated when LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir also got involved. Following RCB’s win, an awkward handshake between Kohli and Naveen further fueled the tension, leading to a confrontation where LSG captain KL Rahul attempted to mediate. However, Naveen refused to apologize, resulting in fines for all involved—100% match fees for Kohli and Gambhir, and 50% for Naveen.
CPL 2024: A New Chapter or Old Rivalries?
As the CPL 2024 gets underway, all eyes will be on how Naveen-ul-Haq performs for the Barbados Royals. While the prank was all in good fun, it’s clear that the rivalry with Virat Kohli is something that continues to follow him, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his participation in the league. Whether this will serve as motivation or distraction for Naveen remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the cricket world hasn’t forgotten that fiery encounter, and neither has Naveen.
