Less than three weeks remain until the commencement of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), with the inaugural match set to pit MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings against the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, on March 22 in Chennai.
However, amidst speculation surrounding Kohli’s absence from the ongoing Test series against England due to personal reasons, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar openly pondered whether the renowned batsman would participate in the upcoming IPL season.
Initially named in the Indian Test squad for the England series, Kohli withdrew before the series opener in Hyderabad, announcing the birth of his second child with wife Anushka Sharma earlier this month. Gavaskar’s playful musing on Kohli’s potential IPL involvement hinted at the uncertainty surrounding the star’s return to cricket after a prolonged hiatus, suggesting the possibility of him skipping the IPL as well.
In response to the speculation, AB de Villiers, an esteemed figure in the RCB camp and Kohli’s longtime teammate, provided a glimpse of optimism regarding Kohli’s IPL participation. Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers hinted at Kohli’s desire for his presence during the IPL, suggesting that Kohli may want him to join the team for support and camaraderie. However, de Villiers emphasized that nothing had been confirmed yet, indicating that the final decision rests with the team management led by Andy Flower and Faf du Plessis.
While expressing uncertainty about his own role in the IPL, de Villiers revealed his immediate plans to be in Mumbai for the initial weeks of the tournament, engaging in commentary duties. He assured fans of his return for the knockout stages, hinting at his continued involvement in the IPL beyond the group stage matches.
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