Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir fined following RCB's win over Lucknow Super Giants in IPL

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir have both been fined 100 per cent of their match fees after their heated exchange following Royal Challengers Bangalore's 18-run win in the Indian Premier League on Monday.

Royal Challengers Bangalore read a slow pitch perfectly and successfully defended 126 runs against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow but the match was overshadowed by an ugly spat between RCB captain Kohli and Lucknow players and officials.

Kohli clashed with Lucknow players Amit Mishra and Naveen-ul-Haq before confronting former India teammate Gambhir after the match.

The IPL said Gambhir and Kohli had admitted to a Level 2 offence under Article 2.21 of the IPL Code of Conduct.

#ViratKohli This is the moment when whole fight started between Virat Kohli and LSG Gautam GambhirAmit MishraNaveen ul haq#LSGvsRCB pic.twitter.com/hkId1J33vY

Lucknow bowler Naveen and Kohli exchanged words in the post-match handshake. Lucknow opener Kyle Mayers also joined in to speak with Kohli before Gambhir pulled the batsman away.

Later, Kohli seemed to be trying to pacify Gambhir with his hand on his former India teammate's shoulder, but the conversation soon took an ugly turn. Kohli and Gambhir were seen exchanging words and had to be separated by the two sets of players.

Naveen was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. The left-arm seamer admitted to the Level 1 offence.

It is not the first time Kohli and Gambhir have clashed in the IPL. In 2013, the pair had a heated exchange while Gambhir was captain of Kolkata Knight Riders.

KL Rahul and Virat Kohli discussing the issue#IPL2023 #ipl #ViratKohli #RCBVSLSG #gautamgambhir pic.twitter.com/Z5xnlJM6f2

Bangalore’s 126-9 looked