With Virat Kohli opting out of the ongoing Test series against England due to personal reasons, cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar pondered on Monday whether the star batsman would participate in the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).
The IPL 2024 season is set to commence with the clash between defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22 at Chepauk.
Initially included in the Indian Test squad, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper withdrew before the series opener in Hyderabad. Earlier this month, Kohli, alongside his wife Anushka Sharma, announced the birth of their second child.
"Kya woh khelenge… kuchh reason ke liye khel nahin rahe hain, shaayad ho sakta hai ke IPL ke liye bhi na khele (Will he play… He is not playing because of some reason, perhaps he may not play in IPL as well," remarked Gavaskar playfully when questioned about Kohli's potential return to action in the IPL after a prolonged hiatus.
Gavaskar shared his insights during an interaction with students at the Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi, as part of a Star Sports event.
Regarding emerging talents in the IPL, Gavaskar singled out wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel, representing Rajasthan Royals, as a potential standout performer in the upcoming season. Gavaskar also lauded Mumbai Indians' decision to appoint Hardik Pandya as captain, freeing up Rohit Sharma to focus solely on batting without the additional burden of leadership responsibilities.
Reflecting on Rishabh Pant's comeback after recovering from a serious car accident, Gavaskar expressed anticipation for the dynamic player's return to form, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing Pant's health and gradual reintegration into the game.
In terms of IPL teams, Gavaskar identified Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings as his favorites while labeling Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as the dark horse. He highlighted the significance of the dynamic between KKR's coach Chandrakant Pandit and former IPL-winning captain Gautam Gambhir, asserting that their collaboration could significantly influence KKR's prospects in the tournament.
Read also | Kohli Praises India's Test Series Victory: A Triumph for Our Young Squad
