‘Sacrifice runs for Kohli’: Gavaskar's big take on pressure facing Gill and Iyer

India's Virat Kohli

Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on the debate surrounding Virat Kohli's pursuit of 100 international centuries, suggesting that a teammate making a personal sacrifice to help the star reach the landmark would bring joy to Indian cricket fans as well. Kohli was in superb touch during the first ODI against New Zealand, smashing 74 off just 51 deliveries to guide India towards victory in a low-scoring contest. However, Gavaskar raised an interesting possibility in his latest column for Mid-day: had Kohli stayed at the crease for longer, captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer could have found themselves in a difficult position. With India closing in on the target, the two batters might have had to choose between finishing the match quickly and giving Kohli an opportunity to reach his century. The prospect becomes even more significant given that Kohli is chasing the historic mark of 100 international hundreds. Gavaskar acknowledged that winning a match must remain the team's primary objective, but argued that helping a player achieve such a landmark, provided it does not compromise the result, could be a moment of collective celebration. "Indians have always been fond of records and so there's always a debate about the rights and wrongs of going for it. One thing for sure that 99% of those who say they don't play for records are actually incapable talent and temperament wise of setting any and so it's easy for them to say so," Gavaskar wrote. "There is not a single Indian cricket fan who does not want Kohli to get to 100 international centuries. We are all cheering for him to get there and so, if there's an occasion where some other teammate sacrifices his runs to allow him the chance to get there, the glory will not be just Kohli's but for all Indian cricket fans too," he added. Kohli eventually fell for 74 with India at 124/3 in the rain-affected contest, leaving the team with relatively little work to do in the chase. His dismissal also meant Gill and Iyer did not have to confront the possibility of managing the chase around his personal milestone.

Gavaskar felt the two players were spared a potentially awkward situation, including the prospect of facing criticism from fans on social media if India had delayed sealing the victory to give Kohli a chance to complete his hundred. "Kohli got out in the 70s. Gill and Iyer were thus spared any blowback if the winning runs had been hit with Kohli unbeaten in the 90s. Yes, it's a team game, but it's also good for the team if one of its members, especially a star player, gets to a personal milestone without affecting the team's chances of winning," Gavaskar pointed out. Kohli, who now plays only ODIs, has 86 international centuries to his name. He is chasing a landmark that remains exclusive to Sachin Tendulkar, the only batter to have scored 100 international hundreds.