New Delhi: Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli took to his Instagram story to express his displeasure over the recent on-field spat between him and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player Naveen Ul Haq during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match. Kohli also indirectly responded to former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir’s comments on the matter.

Kohli’s Instagram story read, “My reaction comes as a disappointment and sadness at knowing that we have people who do not understand the spirit of the game. The priority of any sportsman is to uphold the spirit of the game and play with passion and zeal. Cricket never gives anyone the license to disrespect the spirit of the game. I hope that the players realise their mistakes and strive to become better humans as well as better cricketers.”

The incident took place during a match between Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and KKR on Sunday. Haq had allegedly made some unsavoury comments towards Kohli, to which the Indian captain reacted aggressively. Gambhir, who is now a Member of Parliament, later commented that Kohli’s behaviour was “unacceptable.”

The incident has sparked a debate on social media, with many fans and former cricketers taking sides. However, Kohli’s statement on Instagram seems to suggest that he wants to put the matter behind him and focus on the game.