Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq praised Virat Kohli over his batting skill and slammed those who criticised his strike rate and batting intent in IPL 2024.
Virat Kohli received tons of criticism over his strike rate in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. Though Virat remains the highest run-getter of the season, he was criticised for maintaining a poor strike rate. Notably, Virat scored 661 runs at a strike rate of 155.16 from 13 matches.
Virat Kohli’s strike rate comes under reader right after his team – Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered seven defeats in their first eight league matches.
Even former India captain Sunil Gavaskar questioned Virat Kohli’s strike rate but Misbah refused to side with the critics and praised Kohli for putting up outstanding numbers every season.
“Virat Kohli performed well in all the matches, against many teams, and especially against Pakistan. He played such an innings at a crucial stage that he caused a lot of damage to Pakistan.
So even in Pakistan’s mind, there is a mentality, there’s a supremacy, and even in Kohli’s mind, he knows that he can perform well against Pakistan. He’s such a player that when the occasion is big, instead of taking pressure, he takes motivation from it.
Whenever there was a pressure situation and the team was in a bad situation, I used to feel like I had to do something.
And this is a factor in Virat as well, and he is a top-class cricketer. So to play against a team like India, like we did in the Champions Trophy, Pakistan or any team has to get him out early,” Misbah said on ‘Star Sports Press Room’.
The 49-year-old also slammed Kohli’s critics and said that when he is in the middle, the opposition is always under pressure.
“You can talk about strike rates as much as you want, but he’s a player who knows how to win a match and is used to it. If he is at the crease, then there is no situation or position where you are safe,” he added.
With India and Pakistan set to face off in the T20 World Cup next month, Misbah signed off by saying: “Everyone feels the pressure of playing in the India-Pakistan match. Whenever I used to play against India, if the start was good, I was confident and comfortable that I would perform.
It’s in the player’s muscle memory and mind that when you perform well, you really have a big impact on the match, and the position you are in during the match also has an influence,” Misbah further explained.
Virat Kohli will next seen in action in a high-octane clash on May 18 set to play between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Virat Kohli’s RCB need to win the game in order to succeed in their IPL 2024 playoffs dream.
