Gautam Gambhir has defended RCB skipper Virat Kohli, saying that strike rates are overrated, and it is impossible for Virat Kohli to score runs every time.
Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli is batting well in the UAE leg of the IPL 2021. Still, on Wednesday, Virat Kohli failed to do wonders with the bat and returned to the pavilion after scoring just four runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Virat Kohli has scored 362 runs in 13 IPL 2021 matches averaging 30.16 with 3 fifties.
Gautam Gambhir: Strike Rates Are Overrated
Notably, Virat Kohli has got off to good starts during the UAE leg of IPL 2021, but he has failed to sustain the momentum after the powerplay, and this has allowed the critics to raise fingers over his slow batting. However, former India opener Gautam Gambhir has defended Virat Kohli, saying that strike rates are overrated.
Virat Kohli is often seen dominatingly opening the innings before slowing down a bit post the powerplay (6 overs). He has been placed under scrutiny for his slow batting in the middle overs. However, the former India cricketer and commentator Gautam Gambhir has come forward to defend Virat Kohli on the same.
Gautam Gambhir noted that it is impossible for Virat Kohli to score runs at Glenn Maxwell’s pace and still get a huge total against his name and vice-versa.
“Strike rates are very overrated. You can expect Kohli to have a 600-run season but you can’t expect that from Maxwell, and you can never have Maxwell batting at a [strike rate of] 120-125 and expect Kohli to be batting on 160. So both of them are different and it’s a combination of everyone that makes a successful side,” Gambhir said while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.
The former cricketer reckoned that Virat Kohli has taken the mantle of providing a steady start to the team in the power play and then expects the middle-order to take the momentum further for the side. He termed the RCB skipper as a world-class player and said that he will perform his best when he plays his natural game.
Gautam Gambhir: Virat Kohli Opens To Play A Anchor Role To Allow Big Hitters Glenn Maxwell And AB de Villiers Accelerate Later
Referring to Virat Kohli’s decision to open the innings, Gautam Gambhir said that Virat Kohli decided to open the RCB innings because he wanted to anchor the innings and then allow big-hitters like Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers to up the ante.
“(It) depends on the wicket and I believe the reason is Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers. He feels that those two guys can accelerate and he can play an anchor role in the second half, which he has done really well. That’s probably why he prefers to open the batting, get momentum in the first six overs and then continue batting while someone else from the other end can accelerate,” he added.
It is to be noted that RCB has already secured a playoffs berth and is currently placed third in the points table. However, RCB conceded a 4-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in a low-scoring thriller on Wednesday. In a low-scoring thriller, SRH successfully defended the 142-run target as seasoned campaigner Bhuvneshwar Kumar defended 13 runs in the final over.
RCB was in a strong position in the chase during Glenn Maxwell’s time at the crease, but the side couldn’t recover after his dismissal. The Australian scored 40 off 25 deliveries and was run-out.