PBKS vs RCB: "Virat Kohli is under pressure even now.." - Wasim Akram
Published - 05 May 2024, 12:09 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:11 AM
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has defended Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli amid criticism over his strike rate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Wasim Akram said that one player couldn't win the match and highlighted the inconsistent performances of Virat Kohli's teammates.
Virat Kohli currently holds the Orange Cap in the ongoing season, having scored 542 runs in 11 games with an impressive average of 67.75 and a strike rate of 148.09. However, former cricketers have criticized the former RCB skipper for his strike rate, especially against spinners and outside the powerplay.
Virat Kohli's Team Is Losing - Wasim Akram
In an interaction with Sportskeeda, Wasim Akram questioned the criticism aimed at Virat Kohli and stated that cricket is a team sport. Akram suggested that the RCB team management should address inconsistency despite having a strong batting lineup.
“What criticism is he getting? That his team is losing. If the guy is scoring 100 at 150 strike rate, isn't it fine? If the team had won, there wouldn't have been criticism. Kohli was under pressure when he was captain, and he is under pressure even now.
He is scoring, but one player cannot win the match. Criticising him unnecessarily... it's not fair. In the long run, Kohli has a lot of cricket left, and RCB will have to think why their performances were so inconsistent even after 16 years. Their batting is still fine, but their bowlers are weak,” Akram told Sportskeeda.
“Some people say that the ground is short. But you know that already. Pick players according to that only. It is the same ground where I played a Test in 1987. It's the same ground now,” he added.
The 35-year-old holds the record for the highest run tally in IPL history. The batter has amassed 7,763 runs in 247 matches at an average of 38.43 and a strike rate of 131.02. He has hit eight centuries and 54 half-centuries. He is the only batter to score more than 4000 runs in winning matches in the IPL.
People Are Calling An Anchor Slow - Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram highlighted the decline of the decline of the anchor role in modern T20 cricket. The 57-year-old noted the trend of teams aiming for high scores like 270 and suggested that even a 150 strike rate is criticized as slow.
“If you look at this IPL, it feels like it's over. The way teams are scoring 270s, it looks like it. People are calling an anchor slow even when the strike rate is 150. When you look at the pitches and the performances, it looks like it. You got to hit from the first ball, you can't stop,” said Akram.
RCB secured a four-wicket victory against the Gujarat Titans in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 4th. Virat Kohli (42) and Faf du Plessis (62) provided a flying start before the team lost six wickets in quick succession. However, Dinesh Karthik and Swapnil Singh guided the team to chase down the 148-run target.
Virat Kohli will next be seen in action when the Royal Challengers take on the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on May 9th, Thursday. The Faf du Plessis-led team is currently in seventh place in the table, while the Punjab Kings are in eighth place.
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