Virat Kohli: There was a lot of tension on the field during IPL 2023 between Royal Challengers Bangalore's veteran batsman Virat Kohli and Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir. At that time Gambhir used to be the mentor of Lucknow Supergiants. However, this season Virat and Gambhir have forgotten their old grudges. They were also seen hugging each other during the RCB vs KKR match. Meanwhile, now Gautam Gambhir has given a sharp statement against those who question the strike rate of Virat Kohli.

Gautam Gambhir defended Kohli

42 year old Gautam Gambhir said in an interview given to Sportskeeda that the game of every player of the team is different. What Virat Kohli can do, other players in the team cannot do. Gambhir said,

“The team's victory matters. If your team is winning, no one cares. But if your team loses then criticism starts. People bring out all those things due to which the team lost. But every player in the team has a different game. What Glenn Maxwell can do, Virat cannot do. Whereas, what Virat can do, Maxwell cannot do.”

Gautam Gambhir gave knowledge on strike rate

Gautam Gambhir further said in his statement that a batsman's strike depends on many factors during the match. He said, “A good team has many types of ingredients. If you fill the same number of players from number one to eight, then you can score 300 and even get restricted to 30 runs. A good team means you have all types of players in your setup.”

“Ultimately it is important for the team to win. If you bat at a strike rate of 100 and your team wins, then that strike rate is quite good. But if you bat at a strike rate of 180 and the team loses, then no one will talk. damn is true.”

Gambhir further said, “Strike rate will be very important in the times to come. Strike rate is directly related to conditions, venue and opposition team. What is the score and what is the situation of the team? Strike rate is also related to this. If you have lost two or four wickets for 50 runs, you cannot expect the batsman to play at a strike rate of 170. If you have not lost any wicket after scoring 80 runs in 6 overs, then the strike rate will have to be increased.”

Such has been Kohli's performance

Virat Kohli's performance in IPL 2024 has been excellent. He is the highest run-scorer this season and is in possession of the Orange Cap. Before the match against Gujarat Titans, Kohli has scored 430 runs in 9 matches at an average of 61.42. During this period, 1 century and 3 half-century innings have come from his bat.