Royal Challengers Bengaluru's batting maestro Virat Kohli is currently the leading run-scorer in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with 500 runs. However, he is still facing lots of criticism over his strike rate. Virat's former RCB teammate AB de Villiers was fed up with this constant chatter around Kohli's strike rate and has brutally slammed his critics.
AB de Villiers slams Virat Kohli's critics
Former Proteas skipper AB de Villiers is extremely unhappy with the buzz around Virat Kohli's strike rate. He slammed his critics and questioned them about their experience on the cricket field. He even told Virat to ignore all the voices and focus on his game.
"Virat Kohli catching criticism about his strike-rate. It's been going on for way too long, and I am fed up with that now. I am frustrated to say the least. This guy is one of the best to ever play the game of cricket. He's incredible in the IPL; he plays a certain role for RCB and I've had pretty much of these data-driven pundits who keep criticising this man when you don't really have knowledge of the game. How many games of cricket have you played? How many IPL hundreds have you scored?" AB de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
"He's been doing it day in and day out guys. He has won games for the team playing in a certain way. He has got a formula and it's up to the team - the coach and captain - to strategise around that. His strike-rate this year has been even better than the record-breaking season which he had [in 2016]. I don't know where this criticism is coming from. He is batting like a dream. All I can say is 'Virat, keep playing like you are. I have said in the past and I still believe that Virat Kohli is best suited at No. 3. I know he loves to open the batting, but by batting at 3, it will allow Faf du Plessis and Will Jacks to go after the bowling and then allow to monitor the innings accordingly," he added.
Virat Kohli's reply to strike-rate critics
Recently, Virat Kohli also replied to his constant criticism over the strike rate after the match between RCB and LSG. He gave a strong reply and said it is easy to talk but he has been doing this for 15 years now and it is more about winning the game.
“Not really, all the people who talk about strike-rates and me not playing spin well are the ones talking about this stuff. For me, it's about winning the games for the team and there's a reason why you've done it for 15 years, you've done this day in and day out, you've won games for your teams, I'm not quite sure that if you haven't been in that situation yourself, to sit and talk about the game from the box. For me, people can talk about their assumptions day in and day out, but those who have done day in and day out, they know what's happening and it's a kind of muscle memory for me now,” said Virat Kohli in the post-match presentation.
RCB will again be taking on GT in their next game but his time at their home in M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, on May 4 (Saturday).
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