Virat Kohli‘s recent innings in the IPL 2024 has sparked a debate about his strike-rate and approach at the crease. Despite being the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 430 runs, Kohli’s style of play has been scrutinized, especially in Royal Challengers Bangalore‘s (RCB) match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja weighed in on Kohli’s innings, dividing it into two halves – one beneficial for India and the other not. He mentioned that while Kohli’s initial aggression was commendable, his slower approach after the Powerplay was a concern. Jadeja attributed this change in momentum to RCB’s rigid batting order, which he believes leaves little room for adaptability and experimentation.
Ajay Jadeja said
Jadeja said, “When Virat Kohli started, he looked to be in a different mood altogether. When he scored some 24 off the first 11-12 balls, we felt RCB did what SRH had been doing to other teams. But the main difference between SRH and RCB is that when RCB got ahead, they slowed down. Maybe they weren’t aiming that high.”
He added, “Talking about Kohli’s consistency is like explaining the existence of the sun. The moment the Powerplay ended, he slowed down. It could be because RCB lost two wickets, maybe. Sometimes, it looks as if RCB are very adamant about their roles. DK will always come out at the end. And in doing that, RCB pull the hand-brake.”
Kohli’s strike-rate of 145 in the tournament is respectable, but his inability to accelerate in the middle overs has raised questions, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching.
Despite Kohli’s contribution to RCB’s total, which included an explosive start and setting the stage for a competitive score, his inability to hit boundaries in the middle overs was glaring. This led to a significant dip in RCB’s run rate during that phase of the innings.
Former Indian fast bowler RP Singh acknowledged Kohli’s transformation in the Powerplay, noting his aggressive intent and ability to disrupt the bowlers’ rhythm. However, Singh also highlighted Kohli’s struggle to maintain that aggression after losing a wicket, resulting in a stagnation of boundaries during his innings.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
