Virat Kohli responded to critics questioning his T20 cricket batting abilities following his stellar performance in the Indian Premier League, where he scored an unbeaten 70 off 44 balls to secure victory for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Gujarat Titans.
Alongside his partner Will Jacks, Kohli’s form propelled Bangalore’s chase of 201 runs, with Jacks contributing a blistering 100 off 41 balls.
Kohli, surpassing 500 runs in the current edition, and Jacks formed an unbeaten partnership of 166 runs, leading Bangalore to a nine-wicket victory with four overs to spare.
Despite Kohli’s consistent performance, concerns have been raised about his strike rate compared to other T20 batters known for their aggressive hitting.
Kohli defended his approach, emphasizing his focus on winning games for the team rather than individual statistics.
He dismissed critics’ opinions, asserting that those who have experienced the pressures of playing at the highest level understand the nuances of the game better.
While Kohli’s strike rate in the IPL stands at 147.49, rising talents like Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk have displayed more aggressive approaches with higher strike rates.
Kohli acknowledged the contrasting innings between himself and his teammates, highlighting the importance of playing according to the match situation and conditions.
Despite criticism of his pace, Kohli emphasized the value of experience and adaptability in his approach to batting.
Reflecting on his recent century and previous performances, Kohli stressed the importance of maturity and strategy in his gameplay.
Despite Bangalore’s current standing at the bottom of the table, Kohli remains focused on contributing to the team’s success and achieving their first IPL title.
