The post-match moment stole the limelight after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s dominant win over Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. Virat Kohli shared a heated exchange with on-field umpire Ajitesh Argal, an encounter that quickly went viral on social media.
The interaction wasn’t just another post-match chat. Kohli and Argal were once teammates in the Indian team that won the Under-19 World Cup in 2008, making the moment a full-circle story that captivated fans.
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The moment came later RCB’s emphatic 9-wicket win against DC, where they made 76 in just 6.3 overs. While the match itself was dominated by the RCB bowlers and batsmen, it was this connection off the field that added a touch of nostalgia to the evening.
Social media was quick to pick it up, with fans reminiscing about the 2008 World Cup and celebrating the full circle journey of both cricketers. Ajitesh Argal was the umpire in DC vs RCB with Kohli. (PTI Photo)
WHO IS AJITESH ARGAL?
Ajitesh Argal was a key member of the 2008 Under-19 World Cup-winning Indian team led by Kohli. While several players from that team went on to forge long international careers, Argal’s contribution to that triumph remains significant.
In the final against South Africa, Argal produced a match-winning spell of 2 for 7 in 5 overs in a rain-affected game, earning the Player of the Match award as India defended a modest total to lift the trophy.
However, his playing career did not follow the same trajectory as some of his teammates. He was selected by the Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) in the inaugural season of the IPL but did not get a match. His domestic career with Baroda saw limited opportunities across formats.
Eventually, Argal quit competitive cricket and joined the Income Tax department through sports quota. But his connection to the game remained intact. Ajitesh Argal (right) made his debut as an IPL umpire in 2026. (ScreenGrab: JioHotstar)
In 2023, he passed the BCCI umpire exams and started a new journey. Since then he has officiated in domestic matches and in the Women’s Premier League before making it to the IPL as an umpire and scoring a remarkable second innings in cricket.
HOW KOHLI AND AJITESH CONNECTED
The DC vs RCB clash in IPL 2026 brought both the former teammates back to the same field albeit in different roles. Kohli, now one of the biggest names in the game, played for RCB while Argal stood as one of the on-field umpires.
After the match, Kohli was seen walking up to Argal and sharing a brief conversation, a moment that resonated deeply with the fans.
On the field, Kohli also added another milestone, becoming the first batsman to cross 9,000 IPL runs and finishing unbeaten on 23 as RCB sealed the chase with ease. Devdutt Padikkal’s quickfire 34 not out from 13 balls ensured victory was sealed immediately after a devastating bowling effort led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
28 Apr 2026 17:41 IST
