Virat Kohli’s dominance in cricket is undeniable. But according to legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar, the credit for shaping Virat Kohli into the player he is today goes partly to former captain MS Dhoni.
MS Dhoni influence on Virat Kohli
“When Virat Kohli started his career it was a stop-start career. The fact that MS Dhoni gave him that little extra momentum is why he is the Kohli we see today,” Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports. He believes MS Dhoni’s guidance and support played a crucial role in propelling Virat Kohli towards greatness. This sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of Kohli’s journey, highlighting the importance of mentorship in a young player’s development.
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History of Disagreements: Virat Kohli and Sunil Gavaskar
This statement comes as a surprise considering Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli have had public disagreements in the past. Gavaskar criticized Kohli’s slow strike rate in the IPL, sparking a war of words between the two. Kohli defended his approach, emphasizing his focus on winning matches for his team.
Gavaskar expressed his opinion that Kohli’s response was disrespectful to former cricketers who offer expert analysis. He believes their critiques come from a place of experience and not personal bias.
RCB playful jibe on Kohli-Gavaskar
Adding fuel to the fire of their past disagreement, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) took a playful jab at Sunil Gavaskar on Thursday, just before their match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
In a video posted by the franchise, Virat Kohli is seen meeting Mr. Nags, a character portrayed by presenter Danish Sait. Mr. Nags playfully teases Kohli, saying, “See Virat, I want to talk about a friend of yours. Not mine, but your friend. He said a lot of nice things about you… Sunil.”
Initially confused, Kohli breaks into laughter upon hearing the name “Chhetri,” a humorous reference to Sunil Gavaskar’s surname.
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Moving Forward: Mutual Respect on Pitch?
While their past comments suggest a difference in opinion, Sunil Gavaskar’s acknowledgment of Dhoni’s influence on Kohli offers a glimpse of potential reconciliation. Perhaps this can pave the way for a more respectful dynamic between current and former players, with both sides contributing valuable insights to the game.
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