Wasim Akram defends Virat Kohli after Sunil Gavaskar criticises RCB star over strike rate

Wasim Akram Defends Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli's decision to bat as an opener for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2024 has sparked controversy. The main point of contention is his strike rate, which is currently 148.09 after 11 innings. The debate got heated after batting legend Sunil Gavaskar criticised Kohli's comments targeting critics who questioned his strike rate. Now, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has stepped in to express support for Kohli.

Fast bowling legend Akram views the criticism of Kohli's strike rate as unjust, attributing it more to Royal Challengers Bengaluru's underperformance than to Kohli's batting approach. He argued that if a batsman scores a century with a strike rate close to 150, it should be deemed acceptable. He also suggested that the criticism would not exist if the team were winning.

Akram praised Kohli for his consistent performances over the years, emphasising his status as a role model both on and off the field. He described Kohli as a match-winner, natural leader, and someone who excels in performance, fitness, and consistency.

Akram also discussed the evolving dynamics in IPL, noting teams' adoption of aggressive strategies throughout matches, which has reduced the traditional anchor role. He remarked that in this IPL season, the need for steady scorers has diminished due to teams scoring and chasing 270-280 runs.

Despite these challenges, RCB has recently improved its form with three consecutive victories, climbing from the bottom of the IPL standings and keeping their playoff hopes alive.