Ambati Rayudu and Harbhajan Singh destroyed Virat Kohli’s strike rate critics with a brilliant analogy ahead of the T20 World Cup.
There were doubts over Virat Kohli’s T20 batting strategy before to IPL 2024. The controversy intensified since the T20 World Cup is scheduled to occur immediately following the Indian Premier League. His inclusion in Team India’s lineup was viewed by many fans and analysts as potentially detrimental to their approach.
However, the seasoned batter has disregarded his detractors and is now leading the Orange Cap race. Nevertheless, a discussion over his strike rate has emerged on social media and on TV cricket programs.
The former captain of the RCB then made it his goal to skillfully finish the discussion against Punjab Kings. With a strike rate of 195.74, Kohli blasted 92 runs off 47 balls, complete with six sixes and seven fours, to lead his team to 241/7 in 20 overs. As PBKS collapsed for 181 in 17 overs, it turned out to be crucial.
IPL great Ambati Rayudu silenced his detractors by defending Kohli on Star Sports and offering an insightful analysis of the RCB player’s style of play. “I consider the strike rate,” he stated. The surface and the specific match are the only factors that matter. It is impossible to establish a collective strike rate and hold people accountable for it. If, on a particular day, you are batting below average and claim that, given your strike rate, you can only score 160, then you need to face criticism.”
“However, you can only score 140 on any one day; Ruturaj’s 40 off 40 is an important knock.
I don’t think Virat Kohli should be criticized since he has been hitting those slog sweeps onside and batting brilliantly this year, especially against spinners. Collective metrics, in my opinion, shouldn’t really be taken into account. He said, “He shouldn’t be criticized for any format, anywhere in the globe.
Legendary Indian player Harbhajan Singh backed Rayudu’s strategy against Kohli in the meanwhile. “He is an Indian champion player. As Rayudu said, I believe he shown a great deal of purpose against the spinners in the middle overs. I’ve never seen him attempt such sweep attempts. He is now playing sweep shots over midwicket. That continues to demonstrate his effort. Despite being Virat Kohli.
With 661 runs in 13 matches, including five half-centuries and a ton, at a strike rate of 155.16, Kohli leads the Orange Cap race. Kohli has the second-best strike rate among the top ten Indian run scorers this season, trailing only Sanju Samson’s 158.30. He has a higher strike rate than players such as Riyan Parag (153.82), Sai Sudharsan (141.28), and Ruturaj Gaikwad (141.50).
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