Chris Gayle: Don’t think this is going to be Virat Kohli’s last World Cup | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The scenes from the victorious 2011 World Cup celebration, where Virat Kohli carried batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar on his shoulders alongside his teammates, remain a cherished and picture-perfect moment for billions of fans.
Having lost another WTC Final, Team India will be eyeing the World Cup trophy to end their long wait for an ICC trophy. The last time the Men in Blue won an ICC trophy was 10 years ago – the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
The wait has been quite long and India, at home, will go into the tournament as the big favourites.
Former West Indies swashbuckling batsman Chris Gayle echoed that sentiment.
The mega event begins on October 5 in Ahmedabad with England and New Zealand playing the opening match. India will kick off their World Cup campaign against Australia on October 8.
TimesofIndia.com spoke to ‘Universe Boss’ Gayle, a veteran of 103 Tests, 301 ODIs, and 79 T20Is, and discussed the upcoming World Cup, his bonhomie with Virat, India vs Pakistan, and much more…
The favourites to win the 2023 World Cup according to you…
Don’t know who’s the favourite, but I can just actually give you a little bit about the top four. I think India, Pakistan, England and Australia as the 4th team. I used to say New Zealand, but I’m going to put Australia.
Will this World Cup be without two-time ODI WC champions, the West Indies? If so, that will be unfortunate…
It wouldn’t look so good. Not seeing the West Indies in the World Cup, it is going to be sad. It will be sad for the West Indies and the fans as well. Not only West Indian fans but also people who are hooked to West Indian culture. Not seeing the West Indies in this World Cup will feel so bad and sad. It’s going to be disappointing if they don’t make it to the World Cup. I’ll be gutted. Things look a bit dim but there’s still a chance and once there’s a chance, there’s hope. So, hopefully, they can actually win all three games and hopefully, some miracle happens, some hiccup happens with the points table and they get a chance as well. But it’s going to be difficult, but let’s hope things can change for the better for the West Indies.
In 2011, India won the World Cup and the players said it was for Sachin Tendulkar. Do you think there will be a similar sentiment this time in the team maybe for Virat Kohli?
Virat Kohli still has another World Cup in him. I don’t think this is going to be his last World Cup. I think he has another World Cup in him. India are favourites, they play at home as well. So, it’s going to be very interesting. We want to see the team they’re actually going to select.

Virat Kohli (AFP Photo)
First of all the squad, they’re going to select because a lot of people are knocking on the door as well. India are always going to be a favorite at home as well. So, that’s something that carries the pressure over to the India team as well.
Two players who you think will be key players for India this time in the World Cup…
(Jasprit) Bumrah for sure. I’m sure he’s going to be back. And young man Surya (Suryakumar Yadav). These two guys.
India and Pakistan will play on October 15th in the ODI World Cup. Is India vs Pakistan bigger than the Ashes?
India vs Pakistan – that’s bigger than the Ashes. Yes, that’s bigger than Ashes, absolutely. That’s humongous on a world stage. Billions of people watching that. We know what comes. Let’s see what happens on the 15th. I’ll go watch it.

Image credit: BCCI/IPL
Your take on your bonhomie with Virat Kohli…
There are quite a lot to be honest. It’s good to actually be alongside such a player in the dressing room and with him as well. We have a lot of 100 partnerships for RCB as well. That’s good. We have got a great bond. He is a very good guy.
Are you eyeing a coaching job in the IPL?
Me? (laughs). I don’t think I can manage that. We’ll see what happens.
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