IPL 2023 – “As a mentor…”: Words of respect from Naveen-ul-Haq by Gautam Gambhir | cricket news

LSG bowler Naveen-ul-Haq said he enjoyed the “Kohli, Kohli” chants in the stadium on Wednesday as they gave him the passion to play well for his team. During the ongoing IPL league stage, Naveen-ul-Haq had a heated conversation with Royal Challengers Bangalore star Virat Kohli. After the RCB-LSG game, the Afghan even posted Instagram stories about mangoes whenever the Bangalore-based team did not perform well in their matches. “I enjoy it. I like everyone on the pitch to sing his name (Virat Kohli) or any other player’s name. It gives me passion to play well for my team,” he said after his brilliant run of 4/38 against MI, though in a lost cause.

“Well, I don’t focus on the outside or the noise outside or anything else. I just focus on my own cricket and my own process. The chants of the crowd or anyone saying anything doesn’t affect me.

“As professional athletes, you have to take this in your stride. When you don’t do well for your team, the fans will give it to you. And when you do well for your team, (the) same people are going to chant your name. Basically, this is integral part of the game,” he added.

On the team’s mentor Gautam Gambhir, who supported him after the on-pitch spat with Kohli, Naveen-ul-Haq said: “Everyone should back their players. Mentor, coach, player or anyone. I will defend every teammate. of team in the field”. and that is what I expect from each individual as well.

“He (Gambhir) has been a legend for India, he has great respect in India. He has given a lot to Indian cricket. As a mentor, as a coach, as a cricket legend, I have great respect for him and I have learned so many things from him. How should I do my cricket inside the pitch and the same outside.”

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