NEW DELHI: Amid his joint-slowest IPL ton against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, which came in a losing cause,
Virat Kohli
's strike-rate debate has been the hottest topic of discussion on social media.
Kohli's record-extending 8th century in the IPL, which came off 67 balls, put him in the eye of a social media storm as fans and a few experts weren't impressed by the Kohli effort in RCB's six-wicket defeat.
While quite a few pundits also came out in support of Kohli's batting approach, his childhood coach recently joined the strike-rate debate, ripping apart the critics.
Rajkumar Sharma, slammed Kohli's strike-rate critics, saying those attacking Kohli, don't even understand basics of cricket.
"Jo log yeh kahe rehe hai ki ye slow century hai, unhe realise karna chaiye ki match ki situation thi. Sirf news banane ke liye, kyuki aur kisi ke naam se news nahi banti toh Virat Kohli ke baare mein kuch bol dega toh news banegi.
"Iss tarah ki jo baate karte hai, mujhe doubt hai unki cricket knowledge ki. Doosri side se wicket gir rahe hai still vo maintain kar rahe hai 130-135 ki strike-rate. Jinko Cricket ka C pata hoga vo iss tarah ki baate nahi karega. Ye log vohi log hai jinhe charcha mein rehna hai. Jab tak vo bolege nahi aur bolege kis ke liye. Jab Tak Virat Kohli ke liye bolege. Aur kisi ke liye bolege toh news nhi banegi."(Those people who are saying this is a slow century should realise what the situation was. Just to make news as no one else makes news, they say something about Virat Kohli's strike-rate. Look at his strike-rate in the T20 World Cup, how many percent of runs he has. People who say things like this, I doubt their cricket knowledge. Wickets are falling from the other end and he is still batting at 130-135. Anyone who knows the 'C' of cricket will not talk like this. These people just want to remain in limelight and until they talk about Virat Kohli, that will not happen,)" said Rajkumar Sharma in an interaction on India News.
Legendary Brian Lara also recently rallied behind Kohli, asserting that the 35-year-old's value transcends cold numbers.
"The strike-rate depends on position, and for an opener strike-rate of 130-140 is pretty alright. But if you are coming in the middle-order then you may be required to hit at 150 or 160. As you have seen in this IPL, batsmen are hitting at 200 in the latter part of an innings. But an opener like Kohli always has the chance of starting at 130, bat through the overs and finish at 160 or even higher, which is all right," Lara said.
With four defeats and a win in the season so far, RCB currently sit at the 9th spot on the points table.
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