Virat Kohli blamed as Simon Doull makes shocking revelation about receiving death threats

Virat Kohli enjoyed a stellar season in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL). The right-handed batsman finished the season as the highest run-scorer.

While no other batsman could even touch the 600-run mark, he finished his campaign with an impressive 741 runs with the help of one century and five half-centuries. However, more than the runs he scored, it was his strike rate that was a major talking point throughout the IPL.

The former India skipper has faced criticism on several occasions in the recent past for his strike rate even though he has scored runs consistently. He did work on it during the IPL and was duly rewarded. Virat Kohli scored his 741 runs at a strike-rate of almost 155. He hit 62 fours and an impressive 38 sixes during the tournament.

One of the former players who did not shy away from criticizing Virat Kohli for his strike rate was former New Zealand pacer and commentator Simon Doull. However, he has changed his opinion after Kohli's performance in IPL 2024. Doull was all praise for Kohli's intent to play the big sixes in the 17th edition of the IPL.

"I see a phenomenal player, a player who should be dominating more than what he was. That's what I talk about (when I mention) his strike rate. I felt that he was afraid to get out because he was worried about what is behind him rather than (saying), 'I'm so good'.

"It is the same thing I said about Babar and I had a chat with him after I talked about it in Pakistan and he said that his coaches told him the same thing. What I loved about (Kohli) this year was the intent to hit sixes," said Doull on Cricbuzz.

Simon Doull gets death threats:

Simon Doull has also revealed that he has been getting death threats for criticizing Virat Kohli. The former cricketer-turned-commentator further opened up on his rapport with Kohli, saying that there is no issue between him and the former India skipper.

Doull concluded by heaping praise on Kohli for his performance in the IPL this year, highlighting the changes the batting superstar made in his game to do well in the shortest format.

"He is too good to worry about getting out and that was always my point. I have said a thousand great things about Virat Kohli but I say one thing negative or construed to be negative, and I get death threats. That's the shame of it," said Doull.

"There has never been an issue and I would never have a reason to have personal problems. When I look at the game and the way it has moved, particularly with the impact sub, a strike rate of 130-135 didn't cut it any more.

"What he did this year, I loved it. He took the bowling on. He played the slog sweep which we didn't see much. He is never not going to have the fire. I thought about it afterwards that, maybe he does thrive on it. What else has he got to thrive on, after 17 years of giving the game everything he has given he needs something to spur him on.

And if I can do that from an Indian cricket point of view, that is good. I love coming to this country and working here, if I can spur him on in some way then good on him turning around and trying to prove people like me wrong. Because that is just an opinion, I get paid for mine," he added.

Kohli will now be seen in action in the T20 World Cup, starting next month. Team India will be beginning their campaign against Ireland on June 5.