IPL 2020: Virat Kohli backed by Sunil Gavaskar following controversial comment

Virat Kohli was at the receiving end of a harsh comment by Sunil Gavaskar after the latter had dragged the former's wife into the equation, seemingly blaming her for his poor performance. Kohli has scored just 18 runs in three matches of the Indian Premier League this season.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli is off to a tough start in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he has been backed by former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar to bounce back soon.

Kohli has, so far, scored just 18 runs in the opening three matches, while his side has won two of them. He played a handy role in the side's win during their last tie against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI), who they beat in the Super Over.

Gavaskar has said that Kohli is not the guy to keep quiet for long. He also praised the Indian skipper by stating that a player like his calibre does not take long to bounce back.

“He’s a class act everybody knows that. So what if he’s had three quiet matches, he’s the kind of batsman who will make up for it towards the end,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying on air during RCB's tie against MI.

“He may have started slowly, but by the time the tournament ends, he will have 400-500 runs, which is what he gets every year. There was that one year when he got almost 1,000 runs (in 2016) and hundreds as well (4). He may not get 900 runs (in IPL 2020), because the first three matches have been quiet, but 500 runs totally, they are all written there,” he added.

Kohli was on the receiving end of Gavaskar's harsh comment in RCB's previous tie against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), where he could manage just a run. Gavaskar had dragged Kohli's wife, Anushka Sharma, into the scene, stating that practising on her deliveries was hampering his form.

The comment drew criticism from fans, as they urged Star Sports to drop Gavaskar from the commentary panel. He was also lashed out at by Anushka herself, who questioned his comments and demanded an explanation as to how she got involved in this.

RCB currently have played three matches so far, while they won their opening encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). They are currently placed in the third spot of the table, while they take on former champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Saturday, in Abu Dhabi.