‘See who’s the fielder’: Sunil Gavaskar’s scintillating on-air comment on Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli was active in the outfield during the IPL 2024 Eliminator between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. Kohli, who scored 33 off 24 balls, saved a lot of runs for RCB with his deep fielding. In the 12th over of RR’s 173-run chase, Kohli covered a lot of ground near the midwicket boundary before unleashing a bullet delivery to end Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel’s partnership.

Cameron Green received a throw from Kohli at the non-striker’s end before dislodging the bails to give Jurel his marching orders. Kohli, however, caught the attention of former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar with his world-class performance.

Gavaskar questioned Jurel and Parag’s decision to go for a second run, especially with Kohli patrolling the Midwicket region.

“Yes, the throw is even more important. Flat! Once you hesitate, you don’t proceed. Was there a second run? You also see who the fielder is. Any other fielder, go for second. That’s a big deal, big deal . I think he’s gone. Magnificent effort. He got RCB back into the game,” Gavaskar said on air.

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Kohli had a rare failure with the bat on Wednesday as RCB bowed out of IPL 2024.

He tops the batting charts in IPL 2024 with 741 runs, including one century and five fifties, but failed to inspire his team to the end in a rollercoaster season.

RCB coach Andy Flower praised Kohli for his enduring “hunger” for the game.

“Working in the same dressing room as him was a real pleasure,” said Flower, the former Zimbabwe captain and England coach.

“The way he thinks about the game – and he backs that up with an incredible level of skill, aggression and hunger – I’m looking forward to seeing him at the World Cup,” Flower said.

“I think it’s incredible that he’s still evolving his game, even though he already has an incredible track record,” he added.

(With AFP inputs)