Naveen-ul-Haq takes a sly dig at Virat Kohli after RCB gets eliminated from IPL 2023

Virat Kohli's 101*-run knock went in vain as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) suffered a heartbreaking six-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans (GT) at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in the final league match of IPL 2023 on Sunday.

Due to the loss, the Bangalore-based side finished sixth in the points table, failing to make the cut for the all-important playoffs. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Naveen-ul-Haq posted an Instagram story after the match, possibly mocking RCB for the elimination.

Screenshot of Naveen-ul-Haq's Instagram story.

Notably, Kohli and Naveen were involved in a heated exchange when RCB and LSG squared off for the second time in the ongoing season. The rivalry didn't end there, as the fast bowler's infamous "sweet mangoes" during Bangalore's fixture against Mumbai Indians (MI) added fuel to the fire.

It is worth mentioning that Naveen was also heckled by Kohli chants at the Eden Gardens when LSG took on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday. He retaliated by asking the crowd to remain quiet, by placing a finger on his lips following Rahmanullah Gurbaz's wicket.

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LSG and MI will battle it out in the Eliminator clash of IPL 2023

RCB's defeat to defending champions GT benefited MI, as they held on to their number four position in the points table. Mumbai would have been knocked out from the race to the playoffs had Bangalore trumped Gujarat.

Lucknow, on the other hand, are placed third in the standings, while Gujarat and Chennai occupy the first and second spots, respectively.

GT and CSK will square off in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2023 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 take on the loser of Qualifier 1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Friday. The final of the tournament will be held in Ahmedabad on Sunday.