"I enjoy it. I like everyone on the ground chanting his name": Naveen-ul-Haq on the crowd hostility and social media trolls in IPL 2023

Mumbai Indians defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 81 runs to reach the Qualifier 2. Although LSG had a poor batting performance, Naveen-ul-Haq bowled brilliantly. After the heated contest against Kohli in Lucknow, Naveen is receiving trolls and "Kohli" chants regularly. He said it doesn't matter to him as it urges him to give his best for his team.

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It was once again on full display during the IPL 2023 Eliminator between LSG and Mumbai Indians. The right-arm pacer not only picked up the four biggest MI wickets of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Cameron Green but also celebrated them in his own way. He put both fingers on his ears to suggest to the crowd that he doesn't hear any of their taunts, which has become a regular affair ever since that night in Lucknow where he had a heated argument with Kohli followed by some quirky posts on social media.

Every time Naveen has run in to bowl since then doesn't matter which ground LSG play in, he has been greeted with 'Kohli' chants. The Chepauk crowd was no different. The youngster, however, said he enjoyed the "Kohli, Kohli" chants at the stadium on Wednesday as it gave him the passion to play well for his team.

"I enjoy it. I like everyone on the ground chanting his (Virat Kohli) name or any other player's name. It gives me the passion to play well for my team," he said after his brilliant spell of 4/38

"Well I don't concentrate on the outside or the noise from outside or anything else. I just focus on my own cricket and my own process. Crowd chanting or anyone saying something doesn't affect me."

"As professional sportsmen, you have to take this in your stride. When you don't do well for your team, fans are going to give it to you. And when you do good for your team, (the) same people are going to chant your name. Basically, this is part and parcel of the game," he added.

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Naveen-ul-Haq said, "Everyone should back their players. Mentor, coach, player, or anyone. I will stand for each teammate on the ground and that's what I expect from each individual also."

"He has been a legend for India, he has huge respect in India. He has given so much to Indian cricket. As a mentor, as a coach, and as a legend of cricket, I respect him a lot and have learned so many things from him. How I should go about my cricket inside the field and the same thing outside."