Chris Gayle hopes former RCB teammate will dominate in 2023 ODI World Cup in India

Virat Kohli has been in form over the past year, scoring an impressive five centuries in various formats in international cricket.

Virat Kohli will play his fourth ODI World Cup later this year. (Image: Twitter)

New Delhi: Hard-hitting West Indies batsman Chris Gayle hopes his former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team-mate Virat Kohli will dominate in the upcoming ODI World Cup which begins in India on October 5.

Gayle shared RCB dressing with Kohli in the Indian Premier League from 2011 to 2017 and sees no reason why Kohli should not dominate in the mega-extravaganza at home. “Tough times don’t last long, tough players last longer. Virat is tough both mentally and physically.

“I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t go to this World Cup and dominate. As players we always go through phases where things seem a bit boring and you need positive energy to lift yourself up. Once we get back into the rhythm, we know how dangerous we can be,” Gayle said Thursday.

Kohli has been on form since last year’s Asia Cup, scoring an impressive five centuries in various formats in international cricket for India. He also scored his sixth IPL barrel in the recently concluded season, amassing over 600 runs from 14 matches.

The southpaw also had a different take on the highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan in Ahmedabad on Oct. 15. “Whenever those teams play, especially during a World Cup, the revenue they generate is huge.

“One game can take care of the entire ICC event. Players from Pakistan and India should charge a lot of money for those games because those games on TV are well paid games. I have no control over the board or the ICC. If I were in their position, I would want a lot more,” he said.

Asked about his four semi-finalists, Gayle chose hosts India, defending champions England, Pakistan and New Zealand.
Meanwhile, the Shai Hope-led side as far as the West Indies are concerned is on the verge of elimination from the World Cup qualifiers after suffering shock losses to Zimbabwe and the Netherlands. The West Indies enter the Super Six stage with no points, needing to win all three games to have a slim chance of qualifying for the final which would guarantee a ticket to the main event.