Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers has slammed journalists for questioning Virat Kohli's strike rate in the ongoing IPL 2025 season. Kohli is leading the orange cap race but his strike rate (143.46) is lower than what he scored at (154.69) in the previous season. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener improved his strike rate by scoring 62 runs from 33 balls against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Following RCB's win over CSK, De Villiers posted a video saying that he hasn't forgotten those who criticised Kohli's strike rate.
"Virat is always there. He is Mr. Safety for RCB. When he is there you don't have to fear. Never fear when Virat is near. That is the story. Nothing has ever changed and what I want to tell all of you media people, I haven't forgotten. I have a brain of an elephant. To all my journalist friends out there, I love you guys. But remember when you said Virat bats too slow right. Virat is there batting at almost a 200 strike rate last night. Eat that," the RCB legend said in the video.
In the clash CSK, Kohli took the aerial route often. He made the most of the powerplay overs on a batting track. The 36-year-old hit five sixes and as many fours during his stay at the crease. Kohli and Jacob Bethell shared a 97-run opening stand from 59 balls. Kohli's strike rate in the innings was 187.87.
Not just De Villiers, but Kohli's former Indian teammate Irfan Pathan lauded his scoring rate as well.
"He can anchor the innings, like he did last game with a strike rate close to 100. He can go aggressive, like today with a strike rate of 187. He is true champion in white ball cricket. He is Virat Kohli!" Pathan wrote on X.
Kohli leading orange cap race
So far, Kohli has scored 505 runs from 11 innings at an average of 63.13, including seven half-centuries. This is the eighth time Kohli has crossed the 500-run mark in a season. He surpassed former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain David Warner who has had seven such seasons with the bat.
Kohli will be seen in action when RCB take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) away from home on May 9. Currently, RCB are on the top of the points table with eight wins from 11 games.