Virat Kohli’s form has been a major topic of discussion ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, slated to be held in Pakistan and UAE from February 19 to March 9.
The star batter hasn’t registered a big score since his unbeaten hundred in the Perth Test against Australia last November.
While Kohli didn’t feature in the first ODI of ongoing series against England in Nagpur due to knee issues last week, he was dismissed for only 5 runs in the second game in Cuttack on Sunday (February 9).
Despite Kohli's current poor form, West Indies great Chris Gayle believes that the Indian stalwart remains the best player in world cricket.
"He is still the best player in the world regardless of the form, Virat Kohli is still the best player, the stats prove that, how many centuries across formats he has scored as well," Gayle said on the sidelines of an event in Delhi on February 11.
"It's just one of those things that we cricketers go through in patches. I know it is coming at the back end of his career as well, but these things do happen, so he just needs to pick himself up and come back again."
When asked about Kohli's potential to break Gayle's Champions Trophy run record, Gayle replied: "It is easy for him just to get 200 runs (more to surpass Gayle). I don't know how many games they will be playing but I am sure he can get over 200 runs, and I am sure he will get a century for sure, so it's just a matter of time before he goes on to break that record."
Gayle lauded Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, who recently went past his record for most sixes in the ODI format.
"Congratulations to Rohit, sports always need a new entertainer and Rohit has been entertaining all these years as well I have done it alongside him. So he is the new king in town now. So congrats to him, and hopefully, he goes on to hit more sixes."
Gayle was also effusive in praise of the young Indian left-hander Abhishek Sharma, who slammed a whirlwind century against England in the fifth and final T20I at the Wankhede Stadium earlier this month.
"I heard about his innings, it was a cracking innings and for a youngster to do such a thing on an international platform, is huge and fantastic."
Gayle also expressed his disappointment at West Indies' absence in the Champions Trophy. "I am disappointed, no West Indies in the Champions Trophy but it is good to have the Champions Trophy back, so I am looking forward to it.
"Hopefully, it will be an entertaining one. I know it is actually taking place in Pakistan and Dubai, so hopefully, we will have some entertaining cricket."
Asked to name his semifinalists for the marquee event starting February 19, Gayle said, "I'm going to be going off just my mind - India, England, Australia, and probably New Zealand."
