An ex-cricketer from South Africa stated that he was frustrated by the unfounded criticism of Kohli’s strike rate.
Regarding the criticism of Virat Kohli’s strike rate in the IPL 2024, AB de Villiers has spoken up. The top batter has not been as aggressive as he should have been, according to several experts.
The former South African cricket player, however, expressed his dissatisfaction and asserted that the criticism of Kohli’s SR is unfounded. De Villiers supported his pal during this procedure.
The criticism directed against Virat Kohli’s strike rate. I’m starting to get a little tired of it because it has been going on for far too long. To put it mildly, I’m annoyed,” the RCB Hall of Famer posted on his YouTube account. According to Mr. 360, Virat is among the all-time great players. De Villiers talked about the role of the star hitter for RCB and said that he was amazing in the IPL. He said that he had had enough of the experts’ data-driven methodology.
“This man is among the greatest cricket players in history. De Villiers continued, “I’ve pretty much had enough of data-driven pundits who keep criticizing this man. He’s incredible in the IPL. He plays a certain role for RCB.” He also believed that the critics of Kohli, the experts, were ignorant of the game. The former Kohli teammate at RCB questioned the experts’ playing backgrounds.
“When your understanding of the game is lacking. “What is the number of cricket matches you have participated in and IPL hundreds you have scored?” inquired the former captain of South Africa. After that, he made a recommendation to the RCB management, stating that Virat is the best number three and should be playing there. The former batsman declared that he would play Kohli at number three if he were allowed to. As usual, I believed that Virat should be ranked third. “I would continue to bat him there,” De Villiers continued.
Right now, Kohli is hitting like a dream: AB de Villiers
The great cricketer said that Kohli excels at opening the batting and enjoys doing so. Even if he thought it was amazing, De Villiers continued, Virat could act as an anchor down the order because of the team’s mix of Will Jacks and Faf Du Plessis, who can go crazy at the top. RCB achieved their first 200+ target in 14 years in their most recent game versus GT. In just 41 balls, Will Jacks reached a hundred runs.
He enjoys taking the field first, and his track record is impressive. It’s amazing, but given this team’s composition and Will Jacks starting alongside Faf, I think they have the best chance of getting off to a quick start,” De Villiers remarked. The previous captain of the Royal Challenge Bangalore is now the second-highest run scorer in the current season, after CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, having amassed 500 runs in 10 innings with a strike rate of 147.49.
Virat’s decision to bat at number three, in the opinion of the former RCB finisher, would enable him to solidify the role that had been his for many years. When De Villiers stated that Virat’s SR in 2024 exceeded his SR in 2016, he was incorrect. “Virat has the ideal chance to perform the cement role that he has played for so long. The South African continued, “And his strike rate this season is even greater than the record-breaking season he had (2016) not too long ago.
Virat’s SR was 152.03 in 2016 and is currently 147.49 in 2024. De Villiers saw that the 35-year-old was batting like a dream and believed that there was no reason for criticism. In closing, the former RCB batsman said that the Indian batter has given others, including Will Jacks and Dinesh Karthik, the opportunity to express themselves in the middle.
“I’m not sure where the criticism is coming from, as he is now holding the club together and batting like a dream. De Villiers said, “He’s letting guys like World Jacks and DK actually go out and express themselves.”
