NEW DELHI: Contrary to widespread support for
Virat Kohli
's unbeaten century, former Indian cricketer
Virender Sehwag
didn't hold back his critique, pointing out the sluggishness in Kohli's innings. Meanwhile,
Mohammed Shami
joined in, emphasizing the need for collective team effort in the
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
camp.
"I felt RCB scored about 20 runs less.
About Virat Kohli, his knock was great, but there was nobody to support him. Karthik did not come...so there were no big hitters to accompany him and those who came did not work," Sehwag said.
"Yes, Kohli's
strike rate
should have definitely increased because when you score 50 in 39 balls, then you tend to score at a quicker rate thereafter. The strike rate automatically then almost touches 200. He made a mistake there for sure," Sehwag remarked in an interview with Cricbuzz, reflecting on Kohli's innings against the Rajasthan Royals.
Sehwag didn't stop at Kohli's performance but also directed his frustration towards the lack of support from other RCB batsmen.
"But then the rest of the batters did not do anything. The entire pressure was on Kohli. Moreover, it is his role to hold one end of the crease and allow batters on the other end to flourish, on whom RCB spent so much to acquire them - Maxwell, Green," he added.
Shami, known for his lethal bowling, also weighed in on the matter, highlighting the team's over-reliance on Kohli.
"Kohli has always performed, whether for the Indian team or RCB. But how can RCB put the entire burden on Kohli's shoulders? The rest of the batters need to step up," Shami remarked, underscoring the need for a collective effort from the team.
The comments from Sehwag and Shami come amidst a debate over Kohli's strike rate, which became a subject of scrutiny despite his remarkable century. Their remarks shed light on the challenges RCB faces in balancing individual performances with collective team efforts in the ongoing IPL season.
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