IPL 2018 | CSK vs RCB will be a battle between 'guru and shishya', says Sunil Gavaskar

Wednesday’s match would be a huge chance for the Kohli-led RCB to extend their winning form and come to within striking distance of the four on the table. The Bangalore-based franchise is currently sitting in sixth place above Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils, who have lost five of their six opening games. However, Gavaskar has been of the opinion that this match would be exciting more for the battle between Kohli and Dhoni than the pressure of the points table.

Kohli made his debut for India back in 2008 under the captaincy of Dhoni and has since developed into a successful batsman and captain under Dhoni’s guidance. Both brought their different styles to the side with one winning every ICC trophy for India while the later enjoying a brilliant success rate of 79.16% at the moment. Gavaskar pointed out their different ways of leading the sides in his TOI column that will be on exhibition at the Chinnaswamy.

“Dhoni is not one to believe too much in team meetings and lets the players play freely. On the field too, he never loses his temper, which is why he is called captain cool. It’s only when the team takes a wicket that you see Dhoni getting excited but otherwise his expressions hardly change. Yes, there is the occasional stare at a fielder who has been slow to react and for a throw which is not good but even if a catch is dropped or a bowler bowls a boundary ball, there won’t be any change in Dhoni’s expression.

“That makes the players under him appreciate Dhoni even more and try even harder, for the last thing a player wants is to be humiliated by the skipper in front of a crowd, be it on the ground or watching on TV. That makes him even more nervous for the rest of the game. Perhaps the player does get told off in the privacy of the dressing room but that he won’t mind because he knows he has made a mistake and needs to be told that.” wrote Gavaskar.

Kohli, on the other hand, is the more expressive one who didn’t even suppress his awe when Trent Boult took his stunning catch at the ropes. Kohli’s animated celebrations, though, have been a problem for the young skipper and Gavaskar stated that he is working on them.

“Kohli perhaps is the exact opposite for he wears his emotions on his sleeve and his elation and disappointment are all too readily captured on TV. However, one can see that he is making a huge effort not to lose his cool when a catch is dropped or there is a misfield by the fielder. As he grows into the captaincy he will also keep his emotions in check especially if there is a disappointment on the field,” he stated.

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