The cricketing world often presents memorable tales of rivalry and sportsmanship, and recently, a story of intense on-field confrontation resurfaced as Dean Elgar, the ex-South Africa Test skipper, who hung up his boots at the beginning of 2024, delved into the past about his fiery first meeting with Indian cricket sensation Virat Kohli.
As part of the Betway ‘Banter with the Boys’ Podcast, Elgar revisited the incident where he alleged that Kohli spat at him during one of his tours to India. In what turned into a heated moment, the South African left-hander did not hold back, threatening retaliation with his bat.
“I came into bat and, I was actually like holding my own against Ashwin and what’s his name, Jeja (Ravindra Jadeja), and Kohli spat at me. I said to him if you do that, I’ll **** you with this bat,” Elgar narrated the incident with vehemence, demonstrating the tensions which can surface in the heat of competitive international cricket.
The question lingered if the Indian cricketer was able to comprehend the words flung at him in Afrikaans, but quickly it became apparent that Kohli was no stranger to the language, given his camaraderie with AB de Villiers, a Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Elgar continued, illustrating the exchange, “Yes, he did because de Villiers was his teammate at RCB, so he understood. And I said if you do that, I’ll **** on this field, I’ll absolutely knock you out. And then [Kohli said] ‘Hey **** you, **** you’ (mimicking Kohli), barking up the wrong tree. Anyways, we are in India so you got to be a little bit cautious.”
The situation later cooled, thanks in part to de Villiers intervening. Upon discovering the unpleasant incident, the Proteas legend set out to mend fences by confronting Kohli about his aggressive behavior toward his South African teammate.
Elgar revealed how, two years subsequent to the event and back on South African soil, Kohli reached out to him, seeking to make amends. “De Villiers found out what he did, and went up to him and asked ‘why are you spitting at my teammate?'” Elgar recounted. “He (Kohli) called me and asks if he could go with me for a drink after the series. He said he wanted to apologize for his actions,” Elgar added, marking the thawing of their icy relationship.
With memories flooding back, Elgar shared how they ended up drinking until the early hours of the morning, acknowledging, “We drank till 3 and ya, that was my first encounter with Kohli.”
The passage of time not only put a close to the animosity but also saw a culmination to Elgar’s distinguished career, which concluded against the very team with which his controversy sparked. The series against India drew to a close, and with it, Elgar played his final innings on the field of Newlands. The once-contentious relationship between him and Kohli had seen a transformation, with Kohli warmly embracing Elgar in a genuine display of sportsmanship.
Elgar’s contributions to South African cricket are noteworthy, with an impressive tally of 86 Test caps. His departure from the international circuit was marked by a series infused with competition, camaraderie, and the ultimate respect between two outstanding cricketers.
This account that Elgar shared is not merely a reflection of his own experiences but resonates with many narratives within the cricket community. The passion that drives players often leads to fiery clashes, but it’s in the realm of respect and sportsmanship where true cricketing spirit thrives. It is here, in the stories like that of Elgar and Kohli’s encounter, we find the heartbeat of the game echoing long after the players leave the field.
