Virat Kohli deserves a lot of credit for the starts RCB is getting in IPL 2023: Sunil Gavaskar

IPL 2023 is set to witness a highly-anticipated Southern Derby as Royal Challengers Bangalore take on old-rivals Chennai Super Kings at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Blockbuster Monday.

Two of IPL's biggest names, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, will be up against each other in one of the most sought-after contests of the tournament every season. Apart from the battle of supremacy between the two teams, the batting mainstays of Kohli and Dhoni at this venue add another dimension to this rivalry in IPL.

Kohli was the player of the match for RCB in the last IPL game against Delhi Capitals and the talismanic batter will be raring to put his best foot forward against CSK. Lauding Kohli for giving electrifying starts in the IPL 2023, former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar termed it as a good sign for RCB.

Speaking on Star Sports Cricket Live Show, Gavaskar said, "Virat Kohli is giving RCB flying starts at the start of the innings. He deserves a lot of credit for the starts RCB is getting and the runs the team is managing to post on the board because of his starts. These are good signs for RCB."

Gavaskar also praised Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni for the way he's leading the side and how his penchant for bailing the team out of crucial moments makes him the greatest captain of all time.

"Chennai Super Kings know how to get out of tough situations. This has been possible only under MS Dhoni's captaincy. Captaining 200 matches is very difficult. Captaining so many matches is a burden and it could have affected his performance as well. But Mahi is different. He is a different captain. There hasn't been a captain like him and there will never be one like him in the future," Gavaskar added.

Meanwhile, the games on Super Sunday witnessed some rivetting contests and fantastic wins from Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals in their respective games.

Mumbai Indians produced a clinical show to bag their second win of the season as they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders. Praising Mumbai Indians for their back-to-back wins, former Mumbai cricketer Aditya Tare claimed the five-time IPL champions have finally found the winning combination this season.

"MI now have found the combination that can win them matches and consolidate their position in the points table to keep themselves in the race for the playoffs," said Tare.

Rajasthan Royals pulled off a memorable run chase and handed defending champions Gujarat Titans their second straight loss at home. It was their skipper Sanju Samson who led the charge for Rajasthan after his team was pushed against the wall early on.

Lavishing praise upon Sanju Samson, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh said the wicketkeeper-batter shows a lot of maturity in his game. With every passing day, he keeps on impressing and therefore Samson deserves to be a permanent member of the Indian side in white-ball format.

"We've seen another captain's knock from Sanju. I have said in the past and still believe that he should be a regular feature in the Indian national side (in white ball format). He plays spinners and fast bowlers with equal ease. He knows how to absorb pressure and is a strong-willed player. He has faith in his abilities, just like MS Dhoni," concluded Harbhajan Singh.