IPL 2024: Navjot Sidhu Comes In the Defense Of Virat Kohli

In a brilliant display of batting prowess, Virat Kohli led the charge for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their recent triumph over the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad during the 45th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) season. The pursuit of a challenging target of 201 runs saw Kohli, accompanied by Will Jacks, orchestrating a commanding victory for RCB with a remarkable nine wickets and four overs to spare. Kohli's innings, a masterclass in composure and skill, saw him remain unbeaten at 70 runs off just 44 deliveries, further cementing his stature atop the IPL Orange Cap standings with an impressive tally of 500 runs. Despite his consistent brilliance with the bat, Kohli has found himself under the scrutiny of critics, particularly concerning his strike rate throughout the season. Following the resounding win against the Titans, Kohli didn't shy away from addressing the critiques, emphasizing the vast disparity between opinions from the sidelines and the intensity of competition on the field.

Amidst the chorus of skepticism, former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu emerged as a staunch defender of Kohli's approach. Sidhu's support underscored the complexities of the game and the nuanced challenges faced by players like Kohli, whose contributions extend far beyond mere statistics.

His innings wasn't just about accumulating runs but also about steering the team towards victory, a feat that requires strategic acumen and nerves of steel. As Kohli continues to silence his detractors with his on-field exploits, his resilience in the face of criticism serves as a testament to his unwavering dedication and indomitable spirit on the cricketing stage.

"People think Kohli is God. He is a human, so will play like a human too. Rather than nitpick, why don’t we look at the fact that the guy has 80 centuries. That's his strength and weakness, he has none. And if you look carefully, today he played off the backfoot and lofted the spinners. Tell me how many can do that? Hitting a left-arm spinner against the spin… how many can do that? So, Kohli has a presence, he cherishes his wicket too. What else is he supposed to do?" said former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu during a recent conversation. 

Mohammad Kaif, joining the conversation, defended Kohli, emphasizing the natural ebb of his strike rate during the middle overs. Kaif underscored that it's a predictable pattern for Kohli to adopt a lower strike rate during this phase of the game.

"All I hear about these days is strike-rate. People are after Kohli. Boss, between overs 7 and 15, it's obvious to slow down. The economy-rate of a spinner is lower than a fast bowler. Why? Because they bowl the middle overs," said Mohammad Kaif in a recent interview.