'Those unbelievable sixes off Haris Rauf': Sunil Gavaskar sends Pakistan brutal Virat Kohli reminder

Sunil Gavaskar sends Pakistan brutal Virat Kohli reminder (PTI/AFP Photos)

India are all set to lock horns with Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2025 with the Men In Blue appearing favorites despite Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma no longer being part of the T20I setup. Kohli, in particular, has been a major force, which Pakistan have failed to withstand. However, with Kohli already retired from the format, the onus is on others to step up and keep the dominance intact on the arch rivals.

Former India legend Sunil Gavaskar speaking to India Today was asked if Kohli would be missed during the match. The Indian legend quickly quipped that it should come as a huge sigh of relief for Pakistan, before sending them a brutal reminder of the talisman's abilities.

Gavaskar pointed at the innings Kohli played in Melbourne in 2022. Then Kohli single-handedly helped India snatch win from the jaws of defeat, an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls which featured two audacious sixes against Haris Rauf in the penultimate over.

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Chasing 160, it appeared that the match was well gone for India, as the Men In Blue at one stage were reduced to 31/4. However, Kohli stood firm and presented yet another classic display of why he is called the chase master.

With 31 required in the final two overs, Kohli smoked Rauf for a couple of sixes in fifth and final delivery of the 19th over, completely derailing Pakistan's momentum. Such was the elegance of one of the shots, which Kohli sent over Rauf for a maximum, that it still dominates the highlight reels.

"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", noted Gavaskar as he remembered the epic moment.

"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.