In a thrilling encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) faced a devastating blow as they succumbed to a six-wicket defeat against the Gujarat Titans (GT), effectively ending their journey in IPL 2023. Despite Virat Kohli’s heroic unbeaten century, RCB’s failure to secure a victory meant they finished sixth in the points table, missing out on the playoffs. Seizing the opportunity, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Naveen-ul-Haq took a cheeky jab at RCB through an Instagram story, possibly mocking their elimination.
Here is the latest Instagram Story of Naveen-ul-Haq:
The animosity between Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq had sparked during a heated exchange in a previous clash between RCB and LSG this season. The rivalry escalated further when Naveen’s infamous “sweet mangoes” comment during RCB’s match against Mumbai Indians (MI) added fuel to the fire.
Also Read: IPL 2023: Faf du Plessis Reflects on RCB’s Disappointing Loss to GT, Praises Virat Kohli’s Stellar Season
Interestingly, Naveen faced the wrath of the crowd at the Eden Gardens during LSG’s encounter with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), with the spectators chanting Kohli’s name. In response, the fiery pacer silenced the crowd by placing a finger on his lips after dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
RCB’s loss proved to be a lifeline for the defending champions, MI, who managed to cling onto their fourth position in the points table. Had RCB emerged victorious against GT, MI would have been eliminated from the playoff race.
Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants secured the third spot in the standings, while Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) occupy the top two positions respectively.
The upcoming battles in IPL 2023 are set to intensify, with GT and CSK facing off in Qualifier 1 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday, May 23. LSG and MI will lock horns in the Eliminator at the same venue on Wednesday, May 24.
The winner of the Eliminator will then challenge the loser of Qualifier 1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, setting the stage for a gripping showdown. Ultimately, the grand finale of the tournament will take place in Ahmedabad on Sunday, where one team will claim the coveted IPL trophy.