Anushka Sharma Helped Virat Kohli Grow As a Cricketer: Sunil Gavaskar

After Virat Kohli slammed people, who trolled his former girlfriend Anushka Sharma on social media, Sunil Gavaskar has come out in defence of the Bollywood actress. (Kohli Blasts People For Trolling Anushka Sharma)

Speaking to NDTV, Gavaskar called Anushka a "lovely girl", who had a "positive" impact on Kohli "as a cricketer and a human being". The former Test opener called Anushka's critics as "frustrated".

Kohli has been in stunning form in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup and was instrumental in India's entry to the semifinals. The Indian vice-captain scored an unbeaten 82 to leave Australia stunned in a dramatic chase at Mohali on Sunday night. (Virat Kohli Masterclass Prompts Sachin Tendulkar Comparisons)

Gavaskar said Kohli and Anushka "looked absolutely terrific together" and that the actress "gave Virat a lot of stability when he was just emerging as the lynchpin of India's batting".

On Monday, Kohli too had lashed out at a section of the social media for targeting Anushka.

On Instagram, the 27-year-old batsman said, "Shame on those people who have been having a go at Anushka for the longest time and connecting every negative thing to her. Shame on those people calling themselves educated. Shame on blaming and making fun of her when she has no control over what I do with my sport. If anything she has only motivated and given me more positivity."

Anushka has been subjected to trolling in the past as well, most notably after Kohli flopped in the ODI World Cup semifinal against Australia last year.