• Source:JND
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Asia Cup 2025: Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar emphasised that Pakistan's bowlers would be stress-free as they would not have to bowl against Virat Kohli in Sunday's Asia Cup clash against India, highlighting the batting maestro's "fabulous innings" in the 2022 T20 World Cup, where he hit two sixes off Haris Rauf to steer India towards a thrilling win.

During the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne, Pakistan seemed poised for a win against India, but Kohli's explosive hitting of two towering sixes off Haris Rauf in the closing overs flipped the game in India's favour.

After India lifted the T20 World Cup 2024, Kohli announced his retirement from T20 Internationals (T20Is), which means Pakistan wouldn't face the India legend on the field in T20I matches.

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“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?" Gavaskar questioned while speaking to India Today. 

“Then he (Kohli) hit those unbelievable two sixes off Haris Rauf to take India close to a win and then Ashwin finished it towards the end," Gavaskar said.

Despite not having batting bigwigs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the team, India’s current lineup boasts some of the top batters.

Gavaskar said Pakistan's cricketers will feel a sense of relief knowing they won't have to face Virat Kohli.

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“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," Gavaskar said.

When asked about calls to 'boycott' the India vs Pakistan match, Gavaskar underscored the significance of sticking to the guidance of the Indian government.