Last Updated:September 14, 2025, 12:05 IST
Sunil Gavaskar says Pakistan bowlers will be relieved not to face Virat Kohli in the Asia Cup after his T20I retirement, recalling his iconic innings.
Virat Kohli retired after playing 123 Tests. (PTI Photo)
Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has said that Virat Kohli has played some fabulous innings against Pakistan and their bowlers would be glad not to have to bowl to the star Indian batter in Sunday’s Asia Cup clash, with Kohli having retired from the shortest format.
In the 2022 T20 World Cup, Pakistan appeared to be on the brink of a win against India, but Kohli’s two towering sixes off Haris Rauf flipped the game.
After India clinched the T20 World Cup 2024, Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is. Whether it is the Asia Cup or next year’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan wouldn’t face Kohli on the field.
“I’m sure they will be pretty happy not to have to bowl to him. Because we have seen some fabulous innings. What about that Melbourne innings, when the match looked lost as far as India was concerned?” Gavaskar questioned while speaking to India Today.Â
“Then he (Kohli) hit those unbelievable two sixes off Haris Rauf to take India close to a win and then Ashwin finished it towards the end,” Gavaskar said.
India’s current lineup boasts some of the world’s top batters. Stars like skipper Suryakumar Yadav, vice-captain Shubman Gill and Sanju Samson don’t need an introduction, while opener Abhishek Sharma holds the No. 1 spot in T20I rankings.
Yet, Gavaskar believes Pakistan’s cricketers will feel a sense of relief knowing they no longer have to face Kohli.
“So yes, if I were a Pakistani, I would certainly be breathing a lot easier. That they are not playing against Kohli. Kohli, the cricketer, not just the batter,” Gavaskar said.
When asked about the calls to ‘boycott’ the India vs Pakistan game, the former Indian cricketer emphasised the importance of following the guidance of the Indian government.
“Well, at the end of the day, it’s the government that makes the call. Whatever decision the government takes, the players and the BCCI have to follow and that’s exactly what has happened,” Gavaskar said.
First Published:
September 14, 2025, 12:03 IST
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