RCB vs CSK: "Virat Kohli is still trying to be better than Virat Kohli.."- Harbhajan Singh

Legendary Indian spinner and commentator Harbhajan Singh heaped praise on Virat Kohli for his phenomenal form with the willow for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ongoing IPL 2024. Since Kohli is in his dangerous mode, Harbhajan called out the RCB star's critics for unfair criticism.

Kohli continues to show his exceptional skills as a T20 batter, despite mixed opinions from fans and former players about his strike rate and batting style in the ongoing IPL 2024. Currently, he is the Orange Cap holder for being the highest run scorer, having amassed 661 runs at an average of 66.10 and a strike rate of 155.16, including a century and five fifties so far.

The dashing right-hander has often been criticized for his strike rate, but he has responded to his critics in his trademark style by hitting powerful sixes over boundaries. However, Kohli’s true colors appear in the second half of this season after playing the anchor’s role in the start due to the struggle of the other RCB batters.

Virat Kohli’s scorching IPL 2024 run in numbers

The former RCB skipper scored 319 runs from 225 balls with the help of 29 fours and 12 sixes at a strike rate of 141.77 in the first six games of the ongoing IPL 2024. He smashed a century and two fifties in these six innings for RCB in the tournament. Well, we got to see a significant shift in Virat's batting during RCB’s seventh game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

However, RCB suffered a 25-run loss to SRH, but Kohli’s quickfire knock of 42 runs off 20 balls studded with six fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 210.00 marked the beginning of a new phase for the former Indian skipper in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Kohli went on to smoke 342 runs from 201 balls with the help of 27 fours and 21 sixes in his next seven innings, with his strike rate soaring to 170.14. Notably, the RCB star has hit 33 sixes this season so far, the second-highest after SRH's Abhishek Sharma (35 sixes). This is only the second time he has surpassed 30 sixes in a single IPL season after hitting 38 sixes in 2016.

On the other hand, Kohli’s aggressive batting against the spinner also caught the attention of cricket experts and former cricketers, as his strike rate against spin is 138.29, with 260 runs in 188 balls, including 13 sixes and 15 boundaries to his name so far in the ongoing IPL 2024. He also faced 54 dot balls from the spinners this season.

Harbhajan Singh hails Virat Kohli and calls out his critics

His sweep shots, especially against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) spinners in Dharamshala, left everyone in awe of the Indian batting maestro, including the former World Cup winner Harbhajan. He also mentioned how Virat is still trying to be a better version of himself despite being a modern-era legend.

Harbhajan Singh was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times, “He is a champion player for India. I think he showed a lot of intent in the middle overs against the spinners. Never seen him playing those sweep shots. Now, he is playing those sweep shots over midwicket. That goes on to show that he is trying.

Even though he is Virat Kohli, he is still trying to be better than Virat Kohli, you know what we have seen. As long as people are their best, they shouldn't be criticized.”