IPL 2023: Virat Kohli of 2016 has returned and could be trouble for bowlers - Chris Gayle

IPL 2023: Chris Gayle has reckoned that the Virat Kohli of IPL 2016 has returned and will cause massive problems for the bowlers in Indian Premier League's sixteenth edition. The statement from Gayle comes after Kohli's unbeaten 82 off 49 against Mumbai Indians on Sunday.

Chasing 172, Kohli turned back the clock and brought the chase master in him to smash six fours and five sixes in his perfectly crafted innings. The 34-year-old superstar batter finished the match with a maximum off Arshad Khan over long-on boundary.

Notably, the 2016 edition of the IPL had seen Kohli scoring 973 runs at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03. The season saw Four hundreds and seven fifties came off his blade. No other batter in the history of IPL has scored more than 900 runs in a season.

"I am sure (signs are there), there is no pressure on Virat this year. We talked about it before the tournament. Me and AB. AB said 'Hey, he is hungry, there is no pressure'. We have seen the Virat that we saw in 2016 and this could be trouble for bowlers," Gayle told Jio Cinema.

"This can be very interesting to see how he carries on. 82 not out, a fantastic start. With Faf doing well, it's going to be carnage for the bowlers at the other end," he added.

The former RCB player added that the massive fan support at the stadium will also help a player like Kohli. IPL has returned to its traditional home and away format for the first time after 2019. Fans turned out in massive numbers to cheer for home side RCB at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.

"It (crowd support) will help a lot. The fans have a big part to play in this as well. They haven't had a home game in 3 years. You want to prove something to the fans. This will propel a player like Virat to do well for their fans. We saw them cheering all night for the team. I am happy," he added.

Gayle also talked about RCB's opening combination of Kohli and du Plessis. He has both the players feed off each other's energy.

"This is not new for Faf. We all know his class, he has done it in the IPL and in international cricket as well. He is a wonderful leader. One thing I can tell you, Virat and Faf will feed off each other perfectly. They will look to drop and run, pick up 1s and 2s. And when the time comes, they will be ready to take them down," he added.

RCB will next face Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata on Thursday.