IPL 2018: Sunil Gavaskar Terms RCB-CSK Game as a Contest Between 'Guru' and 'Shishya'

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar believes the upcoming game between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) can be called the contest between the teacher’s team and his student’s team.

Kohli took the baton of the Indian team from Mahendra Singh Dhoni and has done exceedingly well.

The star batsman Kohli led the team to nine consecutive Test series victories.

The Number one-ranked side in Tests subsequently reached the grand finale of ICC’s 2017 Champions Trophy.

In addition, the Men in Blue claimed limited-overs series wins over the likes of England, Australia, South Africa in particular.

Moreover, many feel that Dhoni has played a huge role in Kohli’s smooth transition and Gavaskar is not an exception either.

He called Dhoni ‘guru’ and Kohli his ‘shishya’ as the world eagerly awaits to see the mouth-watering clash in Bengaluru.

“You could call the match between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Chennai Super Kings a game between the guru’s team and the shishya’s team. The guru of course is the incomparable MS Dhoni and the shishya is the irrepressible Virat Kohli,” Gavaskar wrote in TOI.

“Dhoni was the captain when Virat made his debut in Tests and ODIs and has flowered under captain cool’s leadership. Dhoni is not one to believe too much in team meetings and lets the players play freely. On the field too, he never loses his temper, which is why he is called captain cool,” he added.

The batting legend further shed some light on Dhoni and Kohli’s characters.

The veteran batsman said that Dhoni’s ability to keep his composure in all situations. It eventually makes his teammates respect him even more.

On the other hand, he called Kohli exactly opposite of Dhoni. However, he also added that Kohli is steadily learning to remain cool.

It’s only when the team takes a wicket that you see Dhoni getting excited but otherwise his expressions hardly change. Yes, there is the occasional stare at a fielder who has been slow to react and for a throw which is not good but even if a catch is dropped or a bowler bowls a boundary ball, there won’t be any change in Dhoni’s expression,” he said.

 

“That makes the players under him appreciate Dhoni even more and try even harder, for the last thing a player wants is to be humiliated by the skipper in front of a crowd, be it on the ground or watching on TV,” he stated.

 

“Kohli perhaps is the exact opposite for he wears his emotions on his sleeve and his elation and disappointment are all too readily captured on TV,” he maintained.

“However, one can see that he is making a huge effort not to lose his cool when a catch is dropped or there is a misfield by the fielder. As he grows into the captaincy he will also keep his emotions in check,” he added.

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers will be looking to continue their winning run against Super Kings.

The Kohli-led side will have its task cut out against Super Kings. The visiting side so far won four out of their five games.

The Bengaluru-based outfit is currently placed sixth in the 2018 IPL points table.

However, they will be high on confidence after winning their last game against Delhi Daredevils (DD).

The game will take place on Wednesday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday evening (April 25).

Concluding, Sunil Gavaskar is also eager to witness the enthralling contest.