Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Virat Kohli and cricketing icon Sunil Gavaskar found themselves in an unexpected verbal clash regarding Kohli’s strike rate in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Gavaskar has been consistently criticizing Kohli for not adopting an ultra-aggressive approach to salvage RCB’s campaign.
Babar Azam said, “Virat Kohli is one of the best players and we will plan against him as well as the other 10 from India”. pic.twitter.com/5Zq5I8rns3
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However, Kohli decided to retaliate against those questioning his strike rate, only to be met with a sharp response from the former cricketer-turned-commentator Gavaskar.
Hayden Comes To Virat Kohli’s Rescue
“That strike rate is trending in the right direction, it’s trending up. Look at the IPL over the last four years, it’s gone from mid and around 120 then it goes 130, and then 140 and 150. So 150 for me is kind of that sweet spot that starts in and everyone having a conversation well where do you bat? Is it three, is it open? You know those first six overs, it doesn’t matter if Kohli is in those first six overs. You know that there’s going to be fireworks,” Hayden said on Star Sports.
As the exchange of words between Kohli and Gavaskar continues, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has entered the discussion, expressing his anticipation for Kohli’s performance in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
Hayden believes that Kohli will shine brightly in the tournament, given the better support he would receive from the Indian team compared to his squad at RCB. Therefore, there should be no doubt regarding Kohli’s potential contributions in the T20 World Cup.
“You also know that these conditions are going to be in the West Indies. They’re not so sure about those conditions in New York. I’ve seen that overlaid venue and it looks magnificent. But certainly through the West Indies, they’re going to be benign conditions and Kohli is going to come in and look to strike away knowing that he has a superb batting side that also has a great strike rate,” Hayden added.
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