Virat Kohli Addresses Gavaskar's Comments With Emphasis On Self-Reliance

Virat Kohli has indirectly responded to India great Sunil Gavaskar, asserting that he has never sought approval from anyone as he learned the art of winning matches on his own.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener is currently the leading run-scorer in the ongoing IPL 2024. However, his strike rate over the years has attracted criticism. The controversy began when Kohli, during a post-match interview, criticised commentators for their remarks despite never being in his position.

Sunil Gavaskar responded by stating that other former cricketers in the commentary team have also played "a little bit of cricket" and do not have any agenda against anyone. Kohli, in a recent video released ahead of RCB's crucial IPL encounter against Chennai Super Kings, addressed how he deals with external noise.

"I don't need to react. I know what I can do on the ground. I don't need to tell anyone what kind of player I am or what my ability is," Kohli said. "I've never asked anyone how to win a match. I've learned this by figuring it out myself in the middle of the ground by failing from experience."

Kohli added that winning matches repeatedly is not a coincidence. "For someone to see and analyse a moment and for another player to experience that moment in the middle are two completely different things," he said.

Kohli also mentioned that he does not believe in asking someone to stop saying certain things about him. "I have never felt that I should go and tell someone not to say certain things about me. I know what I can do out there. I don't need anyone's approval or assurance that I played well," he added.

"I have learned this from my father very early on. I could have played for the state very early in my career through other means, but my father said only if you're capable you will make it. Performance is my only currency," Kohli concluded.

Meanwhile, echoing India skipper Rohit Sharma's sentiments over the impact player rule in IPL, Kohli said it is "disrupting the balance" of the game. The mid-innings substitution rule, adopted last IPL, has sparked a row with Rohit expressing his displeasure in a podcast last month.

Kohli has urged for a rethink of the rule. "I agree with Rohit. Entertainment is one aspect of the game but there is no balance," Kohli said on Jio Cinema. "I think it has disrupted the balance and a lot of people are feeling this way, not just me," he added.

Rohit had said in the podcast, "I'm not a big fan... It's going to hold back all-rounders. Cricket is played by 11, not 12 (players)." Punjab Kings set the record for the highest successful chase in T20 history when they overhauled Kolkata Knight Riders' 262 with eight balls to spare.

Sunrisers Hyderabad also smashed the record for the highest-ever total in franchise cricket by posting 287/3 against RCB. This edition alone has witnessed eight 250-plus totals and Kohli felt the bowlers' pain.

"Bowlers are feeling like what they should do," Kohli said. "I have never experienced anything like it where bowlers think they will concede four or a six on every ball. Not every team has a (Jasprit) Bumrah or the mystery of Rashid Khan," he added.

"With one extra batter, there is a reason I am playing with 200-plus strike rate in the powerplays. I know there is a batsman waiting at No 8 as well. We are playing a high level of cricket and it should not be that dominant in my opinion. There is a beauty about having an equal balance between bat and ball," Kohli concluded.

Earlier this month, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said the rule was implemented as a 'test case' and that it also allows two Indian players with opportunities to play in a game. He also mentioned that the board and all key stakeholders would deliberate over its continuity.

"I am sure Jay (Shah) bhai has mentioned it already that they will review it and I am sure that they will come to a conclusion which brings the game into balance," said Kohli.

"As a batsman, I can say this rule is good but the match should be exciting. Only fours and sixes are not exciting in cricket. Exciting is that you can defend 160 as well," Kohli added.