As India gear up to face Pakistan in a high-octane group stage encounter at the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has reminded Pakistan of Virat Kohli’s iconic performance in the 2022 T20I World Cup. Gavaskar, speaking to India Today ahead of the much-anticipated clash, recalled Kohli’s breathtaking innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the 2022 T20 World Cup, where the Indian batting maestro produced one of the most memorable knocks in T20I history.
Kohli pulled off an unimaginable win, launching two sixes off Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf. However, the former India captain will not be seen in action, as he announced his retirement from T20Is following India’s victorious campaign at the T20I World Cup 2024.
"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," Gavaskar told India Today.
Gavaskar stated that Pakistan will relish the absence of Virat Kohli.
"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.