WATCH | Rohit Sharma's reaction says it all when asked about Virat Kohli's strike-rate, Twitter reacts
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New Delhi, May 3: Among the many talking points that have come out of the Indian Premier League 2024 is the matter of strike rates and how much of a role it plays in the format. At the centre of these discussions, Virat Kohli's name emerges he has faced criticism for not being able to dominate spinners, particularly during the middle overs in the IPL 2024 despite scoring 500 runs for RCB with an impressive average of 77. Many even think that Kohli's strike rate of 147.59 is not impressive enough.
As Kohli has been selected in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup, India captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector were asked whether there were discussions about the 34-year-old's strike rate before the team was decided. Rohit couldn't stop himself from laughing quietly even before the question could be completed.
Rohit sharma and Ajit Agarkar reactions says everything😎#ViratKohli #T20WorldCup2024 pic.twitter.com/goOcrx6rod
— Ullas (@ullasshettyy48) May 2, 2024
“About Virat Kohli's strike rate, I don't think we have been discussing it. He has been in great form in the IPL, no concerns at all,” said the former fast bowler. Agarkar explained that someone of Kohli's experience would be required in the T20 World Cup.
“You are still going to a World Cup, it is international cricket and there is that gap there (with the IPL). You have got to prepare (the team) knowing that there is a gap and that’s where experience does matter a lot. There's no point over-thinking it,” he said.
"If the tournament turns out to be like how the IPL is, where (a score of) 220 plays (against) 220, I think we've still got enough in the team, the balance, all the power, then you can match that," he added.
Captain Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar started smiling when the Journalist asked about the Strike Rate of Virat Kohli. 😄👌 pic.twitter.com/QFqN1arkDf
— The Ajay Cric (@TheCric_AJAY) May 2, 2024
Notably, Kohli is the highest run scorer in the history of T20 World Cup and the highest scorer overall in T20 internationals. He has 1141 runs in 27 T20 World Cup matches at a strike rate of 131.30 and average of 81.50
Twitter reacted to the viral video as fans remembered the time when Virat Kohli backed Rohit Sharma's inclusion in the playing XI in the shortest format.
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Rohit also said the team management was crystal clear about picking as many as four spinners for the T20 World Cup in the Americas, asserting that IPL had very little role to play in deciding the final 15.
India have picked four spinners and three pacers in the squad, a move that has attracted diverse views. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are the two wrist spinners while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are the all-rounders who bowl left-arm spin.
"I don't want to go into details on this. I definitely wanted four spinners. We have played a lot of cricket there (West Indies), we know how the conditions are like,” Rohit said in a press conference to address queries on the squad selection.