Virat Kohli's absence makes India weak!! Pakistan perspective revealed

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar made a big statement on star batter Virat Kohli ahead of the match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. Gavaskar said that Pakistan would be happy not to face Kohli in the upcoming clash and recalled the batter’s memorable knock against them in Melbourne.

India are set to take on Pakistan in their next Asia Cup match on Sunday in Dubai. Virat Kohli retired from T20Is after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. Kohli has not played a competitive match since the IPL 2025 final for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and he is likely to return during the upcoming Australia tour.

Pakistan Will Be Happy Not to Have Bowl to Virat Kohli - Sunil Gavaskar

Speaking to India Today, Sunil Gavaskar said that Virat Kohli’s absence will be a relief for Pakistan ahead of their Asia Cup clash. The former India captain recalled Kohli hitting two remarkable sixes off Haris Rauf to turn the game during the T20 World Cup 2022.

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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? 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 said.

"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.

Virat Kohli’s Performance Against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022

Virat Kohli played a key role in India's victory against Pakistan at the MCG in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Chasing 160 runs, India had collapsed to 31/4, but Kohli and Hardik Pandya added a 113-run partnership for the fifth wicket to revive the team.

Kohli scored an unbeaten 82 runs off 53 balls, including two massive sixes off Haris Rauf in the penultimate over. Ravichandran Ashwin finished the match to secure a thrilling victory.

Kohli was named Player of the Match for his extraordinary innings. The Men in Blue snatched a win over Pakistan from the jaws of defeat. However, India did not clinch the title during the tournament, losing to England in the semi-final.

India At Top Group A Table in Asia Cup 2025

India are at the top of the Group A table in the Asia Cup, with two points and a net run rate (NRR) of +10.483, while Pakistan are second with two points and a net run rate of +4.650. UAE and Oman have yet to score points in the group.

India defeated the UAE by nine wickets in Dubai on September 10. After bowling first, the Men in Blue bowled out the hosts for just 57 in 13.1 overs. Kuldeep Yadav took 4 wickets for 7 runs, and Shivam Dube recorded 3-4 from two overs.

The Suryakumar Yadav-led team chased down the target in 4.3 overs. Abhishek Sharma scored 30 off 16 balls, including three sixes and two fours, while Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 20 from nine balls.

Also read: 'It cannot be housefull after war': Shoaib Akhtar's colossal claim on India vs Pakistan Asia Cup clash