Kohli, who scored the most with 60 goals in India’s five-wicket loss to Pakistan in an Asian Cup game on Sunday, said that except for former skipper MS Dhoni, none of the former players called him.
“One thing I can tell you is that when I gave up the position of test captain, I received a message from only one person I have ever played with before – MS Dhoni,” said Kohli said after the game.
“A lot of people have my number and a lot of people make suggestions on TV, but of the people who have my number, I haven’t received a message from anyone else,” he said.
When Gavaskar was asked about Virat’s grievance, he was very adamant.
“It’s very difficult to say who Virat is referring to? If he would have taken names, then you can go and ask that person, whether you contacted him or not. What I heard is that he only talks about MSD called him after leaving the test captain position,” Gavaskar told ‘Sports Tak’.
“If he talks about former players, who played with him, we know who all of this batch are on TV. He should name the player he is referring to. Ask them Kya Bhai aapne koi Message nahi kiya (Bro , you haven’t you are not sending me a message?)”.
But Gavaskar’s quick wit and sarcasm were evident from what he said next about exactly what Kohli expected.
“What message did he want?” he asked. “Encouragement? But then he’s done with the captaincy, so why would he need encouragement? This chapter (captaincy) is already closed,” Gavaskar said.
Rather, he believed that when you leave the captaincy, the best part is being able to just focus on your game.
“Now you’re only playing as a cricketer. So focus on that role because when you’re the captain you think and worry about your friends. Once the captain is over, it’s time for you. focus on your own game,” said the legendary opener. .
He failed to mention that when he stepped down as captain in 1985 after winning the Benson & Hedges World Cricket Championship in Australia, there were no special messages or calls for him. .
“Now I quit as captain in 1985 after the (B&H) World Championship of Cricket. That night we celebrated, we hugged, but beyond that, what do you expect from ‘other ?”
Why bother with trolls, Gavaskar on Arshdeep
Gavaskar also spoke about the faceless trolls being given too much prominence in the case of Arshdeep Singh.
Arshdeep missed an easy grab from Asif Ali during the final moments of the game and was ruthlessly trolled with his wikipedia page vandalized.
“No former cricketer has criticized Arshdeep. Who are these people who criticize Arshdeep? Why do we have to give them credit? How many of them can catch the ball flying in the stands? Rarely anyone. So how their comments question,” he was cutting in his response.
