Ahead of the Indian team’s upcoming Asia Cup 2025 match against Pakistan, India legend Sunil Gavaskar stated that the Men in Green team will be relieved not to be playing against Virat Kohli. The clash is scheduled to take place on September 14, 2025, in Dubai.
Everyone remembers Virat Kohli’s knock against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne when he won the game for India single-handedly when the Men in Blue needed 40 runs in 18 balls. His two amazing sixes in the penultimate over by Haris Rauf turned the tables for the Indian team.
Following India's victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Virat declared his retirement from the Twenty20 Internationals. Pakistan will not have the chance to play against Kohli in the Asia Cup 2025 or the T20 World Cup the following year. As a result, the Pakistan pacers' memories of the 2022 match at the legendary MCG will endure forever.
"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? Then he hit those unbelievable two sixes off Haris Rauf to take India close to a win, and then Ashwin finished it towards the end," he told India Today.
Some of the best batters in the world are now on the Indian team. Although players like Sanju Samson, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav don't need an introduction, opening batsman Abhishek Sharma is now the top-ranked T20I batter in the world.
However, Gavaskar believes that since they won't be facing Virat anymore, the Pakistani players will be able to relax.
"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," he added.
Regarding the 'boycott' demands around the India vs. Pakistan match, Gavaskar was also questioned. He emphasized the importance of concentrating on carrying out the directives 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. It doesn't matter what we personally think; ultimately, it's the government's decision, and that's what is being implemented in this instance," Gavaskar said.
