“Maybe Virat Kohli will also miss IPL,” Sunil Gavaskar’s cheeky comment gives rise to speculations cricket news

With Virat Kohli opting out of the ongoing Test series against England citing personal reasons, great Sunil Gavaskar on Monday wondered whether the star batsman will play in the upcoming Indian Premier League. IPL 24 will begin on March 22 between defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chepauk. Initially named in the Indian Test squad, the RCB talisman withdrew his name ahead of the opening game in Hyderabad. Earlier this month, the cricketer announced the birth of his second child with wife Anushka Sharma.

,Will he play… He is not playing for some reason, maybe he is not playing for IPL also. (Will he play… He is not playing for some reason, maybe he won’t even play in the IPL),” Gavaskar said when asked if Kohli would be hungry for runs in the IPL as he returns. Action after a long break.

Gavaskar was interacting with the students of Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi during the Star Sports Star event.

‘Jurel can be a superstar’

Gavaskar said that wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel, who plays for Rajasthan Royals, can be the superstar of this IPL.

Jurel, playing only his second Test, won the man of the match award for his brilliant 90 and 39 not out in India’s five-wicket win over England.

“He can be promoted to the upper order. Jurel can be a superstar after this performance in Test matches. Even Akash Deep can get more experience at RCB and play the role of death over specialist, “Which they were missing last season.” Gavaskar also lauded Mumbai Indians’ move to appoint Hardik Pandya as their captain, paving the way for Rohit Sharma to bat independently, without the added responsibility of leading the team.

“To allow Rohit to play fully as a batsman… it has been a busy season for him, first the World Cup and now this series.

“This will give him the freedom to play without worrying about other players. My feeling is that this will work very well for Mumbai Indians.”

“It will be invaluable for Hardik to have a player like Rohit. Hardik will enjoy making Rohit the ‘captain’.”

‘Let’s not hurry Rishabh’

Gavaskar is also excited that his favorite player Rishabh Pant will make a much-awaited comeback after surviving a fatal car accident.

“I’m also a big fan of his. The most important thing for me is that he stays as healthy as ever, so that he can come and entertain us.”

“It will be very difficult for him and it will take him some time to bat well. But it is good that he has started training.”

“The knee plays an important role in batting as well as keeping – which he certainly can’t do early on. He probably won’t be the normal Rishabh Pant we are used to seeing,” Gavaskar said.

“He definitely has the ability to think on his feet. If he gets fully fit, the reins of captaincy (Delhi Capitals) should be handed over to him.”

He said, “Let’s be optimistic. This season is his first season back to full fitness. Let’s not rush him into doing anything that may cause a shock.”

‘KKR hides its rust, the key to Pandit-Gambhir talks’

Gavaskar described Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings as his favorite teams in the IPL and said that Kolkata Knight Riders will be the dark horse.

He said the “conversation” between coach Chandrakant Pandit and their former IPL-winning captain Gautam Gambhir will be crucial for KKR’s success.

“Both Gambhir and Pandit are strong personalities and the interaction between them will be important. The combination they both create will be very important. If they are successful then KKR can become a very strong contender for the title.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)