RCB vs DC: Mohammad Kaif hits back at Virat Kohli's critics following the latter's splendid knock vs Punjab

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif lashed out at the critics of Virat Kohli after the RCB opener played a man-of-the-match winning knock against Punjab Kings. 

Virat Kohli was among the Royal Challengers Bengaluru batters who were breathing absolute fire last night. Almost every batter, except Kohli's opening pair Faf du Plessis and number 3 batter Will Jacks, scored runs for the team in their 60-run win. The crowd at the HPCA stadium in Dharamshala witnessed RCB clinch their 4th consecutive win on the trot. 

What did Mohammad Kaif say about Virat Kohli?

Mohammad Kaif, who is currently on commentary duty for IPL 2024 with Star Sports, had high praise for Virat Kohli and also had things to say about his strike rate. Kaif took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to lash out at Kohli's critics who have been slamming him for his slow approach and decreasing strike rate. 

This topic had been trending all over social media platforms but last night Virat Kohli shrugged off all the talk about his strike rate. Having arrived to bat after the Punjab Kings won the toss and elected to bowl first, Kohli and du Plessis got RCB off to a decent start. 

While Virat Kohli was in a mood to swing all night, Faf du Plessis had to depart in just the 2nd ball of the 3rd over bowled by Vidhwath Kaverappa for 9. Then Will Jacks came in and smacked 12 off 7 at a 171 strike rate but his marching orders were confirmed by Vidhwath Kaverappa in the 4th ball of the 5th over. 

With Virat Kohli standing firm on the crease, he needed a partner with whom he could stitch a big partnership and that's when Rajat Patidar stepped up. Patidar and Kohli took the charge and carried RCB to 100 runs within the 8th over. But by the 10th over, Patidar was sent back to Sam Curran for a 239 strike rate score of 55 off just 23. 

But there was no stopping Virat Kohli as the former captain put together a 92-run stand with Cameron Green, taking RCB's total to 211. However, the moment of Kohli's departure came in the 18th over when Arshdeep Singh bowled a smart outside off delivery which the right-hander sliced towards deep point and ended up getting caught. 

Arshdeep, who is Kohli's junior in the Indian national team, denied the latter his second century of IPL 2024 by just 8 runs but the batter had done his job. He smacked He smacked 92 off just 47 deliveries but most importantly, he scored those 92 runs at a strike rate of nearly 196. 

That intrigued Mohammad Kaif to write, "Virat Kohli 92 for 47 ball gets out trying to hit a six in the 18th over. Strike rate and intent debate around the team man should stop now."

RCB aiming to close off IPL 2024 on 14 points

Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will aim to finish off their IPL 2024 league stage campaign on a high with 14 points to their name.

RCB still have very narrow chances to reach the playoffs but they must do what's in their hand and that is to win against Delhi Capitals and the Chennai Super Kings in their final two league games.