NEWS
Follow UsAt the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), Virat Kohli’s strike rate against the spinners was one of the most talked about aspects. Before the clash against Gujarat Titans on April 28 (Sunday), the right-handed batter only scored at a strike rate of 124 against the tweakers, with 13 boundaries in nine games.
However, it felt like Kohli was taking a proactive approach against the spinners here in Ahmedabad, with a strike rate of 179, smashing eight boundaries in the process, primarily taking on Noor Ahmad. In the post-match presentation, Kohli hit back at the critics, stating that all the criticism makes no sense and that they will only talk about numbers without context.
“All people who talk about strike rates and me not playing spin will talk about these things [numbers]. It's just about doing my job... it's kind of muscle memory for me now. We can't carry on like we did in the first half. We are attacking the game way more,” Kohli said in the post-match presentation.
Kohli also admitted that Will Jacks was struggling to find momentum early on in the innings when he only scored 16 off his first 17 deliveries. But later on, Jacks entered a territory where his scoring shots were either fours or sixes, with his last 50 runs coming off ten balls.
"Phenomenal! When Jacks came in to bat, he couldn't strike the ball like he wanted to. But we know how explosive he can be. But he went after Mohit, and my role changed. I was just happy to be at the other end. Towards the end of their innings, the wicket started settling a bit,” Kohli further added.
“We never dropped below ten an over through the innings.That's the way we want to play our cricket. And it's not been up to the standard except in the last two games... It's about us as cricketers having some self-respect,” he concluded.
Jacks added on, revealing that he did struggle early on but Kohli’s intensity at the other end kept him going. In particular, it was his over against Mohit Sharma which turned the tide in RCB’s favour, with the English batter knocking 29 runs off the Indian bowler.
"Amazing feeling right now. I struggled early on, but Virat kept his intensity. I just kept going. It was trying to be positive. Once I got Mohit Sharma away, I relaxed. It's amazing [to bat with Kohli]. To spend some time [with him] in the middle is a huge feeling,” Jacks said in the post-match presentation.
“It just gave me some confidence to hit my first six. Needed to more adaptable at the beginning. Just lucky today - 17 off 17 don't win you many games!"
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