In the latest cricket fixture, Virat Kohli once again finds himself in the midst of discussions surrounding strike rates, a topic he himself initiated following his impressive performance. Kohli’s explosive innings of 92 runs off 47 balls for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Punjab Kings not only secured victory but also boasted a striking rate of 195.74, fueled by six sixes and seven fours. During the mid-innings interval, Kohli, with a playful demeanor, revisited the strike-rate discourse, suggesting a deliberate intent behind his remarks.
Reflecting on his innings, Kohli remarked, “Maintaining the strike rate throughout was crucial for me (chuckles). My focus was on sustaining the momentum. We encountered a challenging phase when Rajat got out, compounded by a rain and hail interruption, which disrupted our momentum.”
He elaborated, “We needed to rebuild for 8-10 balls. Once the foundation was laid and Cam managed to find some boundaries, I felt the need to accelerate again. The pitch exhibited dryness underneath with patches of grass coverage. Both Faf and I encountered difficulties due to the variable pace off the pitch. The surface exhibited a two-paced nature early on, offering an opportunity for our bowlers to exploit swing and make early breakthroughs. Our target was anything above 230, maintaining that mindset throughout.”
Despite Kohli’s consistent form in IPL 2024, concerns lingered among pundits regarding his strike rate, particularly in comparison to contemporary T20 batting standards.
Responding to these critiques, Kohli expressed, “Those who harp on about strike rates and my proficiency against spin are often the ones engaging in such discussions. For me, it’s about contributing to team victories, a feat I’ve been achieving for 15 years. If you haven’t experienced these situations firsthand, it’s questionable to critique the game from afar.”
Read More:
