NEW DELHI: Chief selector
Ajit Agarkar
rubbished all the talks surrounding
Virat Kohli
's strike rate in the ongoing IPL saying this is the topic which has not even been discussed.
Despite Kohli's outstanding form this season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he has scored 500 runs at a strike rate of 147 with an impressive average of 77, he has faced criticism for not being able to dominate spinners, particularly during the middle overs.
"We have not been discussing his strike-rate. There's a difference between IPL and international cricket. You need experience. We have got enough balance and power in the team. You look and try to take positives from what is happening in the IPL, no point overthinking Pressure of a World Cup game is different," Agarkar said while addressing the media in Mumbai.
The chief selector also admitted that excluding talented batter
Rinku Singh
from the final-15 was a tough call.
"It is the toughest we have had to discuss. Shubman Gill for that matter also. Couple of spinners were included in the squad to give Rohit more options. It is not his fault that he missed out. It is more the 15 we felt, we needed an extra bowler. At the end of day we can only pick 15," Agarkar said.
Former South Africa great AB de Villiers has slammed the "data-driven" cricket pundits for criticising Kohli for his strike rate.
"Virat Kohli catching criticism about his strike rate. It's been going on for too long and I am sort of fed up with that now. I am frustrated to say the least. This guy is one of the best players to have ever played the game of cricket. He is incredible in the IPL, he plays a certain role for RCB," the South African said on his YouTube channel.
"I have pretty much enough of data-driven pundits who keep criticising this man (Kohli) when you don't have the knowledge of the game. How many games have you played? How many IPL hundreds have you scored?
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