Kohli's IPL spat echoes in ODI World Cup, fans chant 'Kohli Kohli' as Naveen-ul-Haq comes to bat
New Delhi: The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi witnessed a resounding chant of ‘Kohli Kohli’ from the crowd on Wednesday, as Naveen-ul-Haq stepped onto the pitch for batting during the 49th over of the India vs Afghanistan match in the ongoing ODI World Cup.
The infamous altercation that unfolded during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants in May 2023 has cast a long shadow over the cricketing world.
The IPL spat drama has now spilled over into the World Cup, with Indian cricket fans expressing their loyalty to Virat Kohli in a unique way. The chants of "Kohli! Kohli!" specifically targeted Naveen-ul-Haq, served as a reminder of the fiery clash that had captivated the nation's attention earlier.
During the IPL match, Kohli, captaining the Royal Challengers Bangalore, had instructed his bowlers to target Naveen and the tail-enders of Lucknow Super Giants with bouncers. Naveen-ul-Haq, not taking kindly to this tactic, confronted Kohli on the field, leading to a heated exchange of words. The situation escalated further during post-match handshakes.
Gautam Gambhir, the mentor of the Lucknow-based franchise, played a pivotal role in escalating the altercation. His interference during Kohli's conversation with LSG batter Kyle Mayers led to a war of words between Kohli and Gambhir. This heated exchange between the two cricketers resulted in heavy fines imposed on both by the authorities for violating the IPL code of conduct.
Delhi crowd erupts with 'Kohli, Kohli' chants when Naveen Ul Haq was on strike. pic.twitter.com/GrkpAMSIgj
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 11, 2023
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T'gana RTC strike: Talks between govt, employees successful
Hyderabad (PTI): Talks between employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (RTC) who were on strike and the state government concluded successfully on Friday as the government agreed to the key demands of the workmen.
Following a day-long marathon of talks between the leaders of the employees' Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the cabinet sub-committee, the government announced after midnight that it acceded to the demands, including a merger of RTC with the government, 11 per cent pay revision and elections to the employees' unions.
A committee comprising officials and employee leaders would be appointed over the merger of RTC with the government, it said.
The RTC management has also agreed to address the remaining issues as well, an official release said.
The employees would call off their strike and the RTC buses would hit the roads shortly, it said.
The employees had been on an indefinite strike since April 22 over a series of demands, including the merger of RTC with the government.
Earlier in the day, a driver of the RTC, who attempted suicide on April 23 during the strike, died at a hospital here in the early hours of Friday.
Shankar Goud, a 55-year-old driver, set himself ablaze by pouring petrol at Narsampet in Warangal district when the employees were staging a protest on Thursday in support of their demands.
Goud suffered serious burns, was initially admitted to a state-run hospital in Warangal, and later shifted to a super-speciality hospital in Hyderabad for advanced treatment.
"He succumbed (to injuries) at about 1.30 am on Friday," a senior official said.
The driver’s body was taken to his relative’s village, Muttojipet in Warangal district, for funeral rites.
Tension prevailed in Muttojipet as his family members and RTC employees attempted to take the body to the Narsampet bus station, where he worked, to enable his colleagues to pay their last respects. However, police did not permit this, citing law-and-order concerns.
This led to a deadlock before the funeral could proceed.
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar criticised the Telangana government for not allowing the body to be taken to the Narsampet bus station.
Kumar, Minister of State (Home), visited Muttojipet village in Warangal district, where the funeral was held, and paid homage to Goud.
“They (family members) want to take the body to the bus depot for five minutes. Is the RTC bus depot in Pakistan or Bangladesh? They are emotionally attached to taking the body there. The government is hurting sentiments and creating fear among RTC employees,” Kumar told reporters.
He also expressed anger at the police for not allowing the body to be taken to the bus station and staged a protest, according to a release from his office.
RTC employees and BJP workers attempted to take the mortal remains in an ambulance to Narsampet, but were stopped by the police.
Later, after discussions with the police, the family members and RTC employees agreed to conduct the funeral in the village.
Sanjay Kumar, stating he would abide by the family’s decision, left the village after the funeral was conducted there.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh, a house, and a government job would be provided to the kin of Goud.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the employee’s death and conveyed deep condolences to the grieving family, according to the release.
The RTC employees’ JAC had earlier announced an agitation programme from April 24 to 29, including silent marches and submission of memorandums to MLAs and other leaders.
