NEW DELHI:
Virat Kohli
’s childhood coach
Rajkumar Sharma
emerged as a staunch defender of the star batter, praising the Indian cricket icon's resilience and match-winning prowess amidst the ongoing scrutiny surrounding his performance and
strike rate
in
T20 cricket
.
Expressing his admiration for Kohli's contributions, Sharma addressed the criticism leveled against the prolific batsman.
"Here is another one from the guy who has won the maximum number of matches for the country. Still people question about his strike rate. Brilliant performance with the bat as well as in the field. Well done champ god bless you," Sharma remarked, via his Instagram handle, commending Kohli's unwavering dedication and impact on the game.
In the face of doubts raised by former cricketers and pundits regarding Kohli's suitability for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Kohli has responded emphatically with his stellar performances in the
IPL 2024
season. Accumulating an impressive 634 runs in 12 games, including one century and five fifties, Kohli has silenced his critics with an average of 70.44 and a strike rate of 153.51.
While speaking in a post-match interaction after the match-winning 92 against Punjab Kings on Thursday, Kohli said: "For me, it's still quality over quantity. For me, it works really well. Also, the understanding of the game allows you to practice less, just try to replicate what I have done in the past."
"I brought out the slog sweep against the spinners. I didn't practice it, I know I have hit it in the past. Always looking to expose that side of the field against spin," Kohli added, showcasing his commitment to expanding his skillset and staying ahead of the game.