• Sportzyverse
• IPL 2024
• 04/29/2024
• 0 Comments

Virat Kohli has dismissed criticism surrounding his strike rate in the IPL, stating that his focus remains on winning games for his team. Kohli’s response came after his match-winning innings of 70 not out off 44 balls against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, a performance that helped RCB secure a convincing victory in their chase of 201.

Virat Kohli ‘s Performance and Response

Kohli’s innings, along with Will Jacks’ unbeaten 100* off 41 balls, guided RCB to a nine-wicket victory with four overs remaining. The former Indian captain emphasized his commitment to winning games for his team, asserting that his track record over the past 15 years speaks for itself.

“All the people who talk about strike rates and me not playing spin well are the ones who love talking about this stuff,” Kohli said after the match. “But for me, it’s just about winning the game for the team. And there’s a reason why you do it for 15 years – because you’ve done this day in [and] day out; you’ve won games for your teams.”

Virat Kohli bodied all those strike rate merchants 🫡#ViratKohli𓃵 | #GTvRCB pic.twitter.com/5lrlAbLop3

— SP (@no18Worshipper) April 28, 2024

Kohli entered the game with differing strike rates against fast bowlers and spinners in the IPL 2024 season. However, he effectively tackled the spin attack of the Gujarat Titans, scoring 61 runs against Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Sai Kishore at a strike rate of 179. This marked his highest strike rate against spin in a T20 innings since 2016.

Kohli’s performance also included 22 runs off sweeps, a shot he rarely employs against spin.

Also read Virat Kohli becomes first batter to score 400+ runs in ten different IPL editions

Virat Kohli ‘s Response to Critics

Kohli addressed critics who may not have experienced the pressures of playing at the highest level. “I am not quite sure if you’ve been in that situation yourself to sit and speak about the game from a box. I don’t really think it’s the same thing [as playing out there],” he said. “So for me, it’s just about doing my job.”

Despite RCB’s recent victory, the team remains at the bottom of the points table with three wins and seven losses. However, they have shown improvement with back-to-back victories in their last two games.Kohli emphasized the need for the team to step up for themselves and play with self-respect. “We can’t carry on in a big tournament like we did in the first half, so it’s just about going out there and playing the cricket we want to,” he said.

Also read Gavaskar’s Brutal Criticism of Virat Kohli ‘s Strike Rate Concerns

Kohli focuses on continuing the team’s positive trajectory and creating a solid atmosphere in the dressing room.

Kohli’s performance against Gujarat Titans, particularly against spin, showcases his ability to adapt and thrive under pressure. His emphasis on winning games for the team and responding to critics reflects his determination and leadership on and off the field.