The ongoing IPL 2024 passed without any controversy until the lucrative T20 league was embroiled in a heated exchange between Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and Sunil Gavaskar. Kohli, who is known for his aggressive behavior on the field, responded to criticism over his batting style, particularly his strike rate and his ability to bat against spin bowling.
Kohli expressed his displeasure after one of RCB’s IPL 2024 matches and lashed out at cricket experts and commentators for their opinions, which later drew a strong reaction from the legendary batsman.
Gavaskar, who never shies away from expressing his opinion, questioned Kohli’s reaction and asked why external noises or opinions would bother him when they really didn’t affect him.
The former Indian captain stressed that the commentators have the right to analyze the game and have a say in what happens on the field. However, Gavaskar’s comments sparked a storm on social media with Kohli’s fans criticizing the legendary batsman for often targeting the RCB star.
While the clash between Kohli and Gavaskar dominated the headlines, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram waded into the debate. The legendary Pakistan pacer supported Gavaskar and stressed that Kohli’s comments were unnecessary. Akram stressed that commentators, including Gavaskar, were simply doing their jobs and should be respected as such.
Wasim Akram was quoted by SportsKeeda as saying: “Both are great. Sunny Bhai, as a cricketer, as a person, I know him off the field. As a commentator, he’s been doing this for God knows how many years, probably more than two and a half years. And when you come to the big man Virat Kohli, he is a top player, a modern great. In fact, given the performances he has shown, he is an absolute star of history. But “I think Virat shouldn’t have said it.”
Akram further noted: “It’s the job of the commentators. If he got slow in a few games and he [Gavaskar] said something, forget it. Virat is not that kind of person. Both are proud Indians; both are great. It’s okay; Both will absorb fairly quickly. I don’t think either of them will take it personally. They’ll be fine, I know that. I’m telling you now. I know them both very well.”
Virat Kohli and Sunil Gavaskar had a history
Before this incident, Gavaskar was in trouble after he thrashed Kohli. In IPL 2020, after Kohli’s dismissal in a match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Gavaskar said that the RCB star only practiced against Anushka Sharma’s bowling during the lockdown, referring to a video of the couple playing cricket on their terrace .
The remark sparked controversy and prompted Anushka herself to respond and question Gavaskar’s statement. However, Gavaskar later clarified that he never had any intention of involving Anushka. Well, Kohli will be seen in action on May 9 when RCB takes on the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamshala. However, RCB has very slim chances of making the IPL 2024 playoffs.