In T20Is, Kohli’s strike rate is actually somewhat higher than Chris Gayle’s. Hardik Pandya’s strike rate is 139, Rohit Sharma’s is 139, and it’s nearly 138, according to Pathan.
Irfan Pathan and former Indian cricketer Mithali Raj talked on Virat Kohli’s selection for the 2024 T20 World Cup team, saying that the star batter should be chosen for the major tournament because of his background playing in important games. Notably, considering his mediocre strike rate in the T20 format, some have questioned whether Kohli deserves a spot in the league.
Mithali, however, believed that India would require the talismanic batter’s assistance. In the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, Kohli not only led India in scoring but also finished first overall with 296 runs at an impressive average of 98.66 and a strike rate of over 137 in six matches, including four half-centuries and a century. After 117 Twenty20 Internationals, his strike rate is at 138.15. With 4037 runs, he holds the record for most runs scored in the format.
“We should definitely pick Virat Kohli because, when you’re talking about experience going into the World Cup, he’s also someone who’s done very well in the last T20 World Cup. But again, in which order he plays and what is the requirements of the team, that is something the management and the captain have to look at,” Mithali said on Star Sports Press Room.
“Hitting him at No. 3 or as an opener is a possibility if he is scoring runs at this strike rate. Of course, Shubham Gill is an option; their strategies are essentially the same. Thus, the management will have the last say, but if we are going to choose players based on the same criteria—that is, those who are in form—then Virat Kohli should also be chosen,” she continued.
Also read: Every player should be under pressure, thus I wish India doesn’t choose Virat Kohli for the T20 World Cup: Glenn Maxwell
Irfan Pathan, a former Indian cricket player, also discussed the controversy surrounding Virat Kohli’s strike rate and his selection in the T20 World Cup team.
In international Twenty20 cricket, Virat Kohli’s strike rate is actually somewhat higher than Chris Gayle’s. The strike rates for Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are 139 and 138, respectively. It’s nearly at 138. We seldom discuss their strike rates, but we will never stop talking about Virat’s. I believe that the average should take strike rate into account. You must observe the type of role that each individual participant is assuming. Every player cannot be measured using the same standards. Such a strike rate is not possible for you. Do you believe a player who bats at No. 6 or No. 7 and has a strike rate of 137 would be flawless? However, why would you even want to discuss whether or not a player with a strike rate of 137 and an average of over 50 is on the team?
June 2 is when the T20 World Cup will kick off, a few days after the existing Indian Premier League ends on May 26.
