IPL 2024 was a low-key affair in terms of controversy. There was a major spat between Virat Kohli and Sunil Gavaskar. Kohli was responding to his critics who had slammed him for his strike rate. But he got a fitting reply from Sunil Gavaskar. The legendary batsman never holds back when it comes to speaking his mind, even when it's directed at the most powerful person, Kohli.
With a pointed critique of Kohli's remarks, Gavaskar said, "Why bother with 'outside noise' when you claim it never affects you?" before concluding that the pundits have a right to criticise what they see. The line was drawn, if not exactly between Kohli and Gavaskar, then at least on social media, as Kohli's massive following united to criticise the first true batting GOAT of Indian cricket.
The Gavaskar vs. Kohli controversy hasn't drawn many responses, but former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has offered his thoughts on the matter. After much discussion on the points of contention between the two, Akram took Gavaskar's side on the issue, claiming that Kohli should have refrained from making his remarks because, at the end of the day, commentators like Gavaskar are there to do their job:
“They are legends of the sport. I know Sunny bhai both as a cricketer and as a person off the pitch. He’s certainly been a commentator for a really long time. And now for the great man himself, Virat Kohli is a modern-day legend and a top player. Considering the kind of performances he has given, he is truly one of history’s greatest ever. But I think Virat shouldn’t have said it.”
Akram promises that their relationship won't be affected by their perspectives. He says that they will both put this chapter behind them.