IPL 2021: Gautam Gambhir Explains The Difference Between Virat Kohli And Glenn Maxwell's Strike Rate

Former Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir said that strike rates are overrated for a batsman’s success in T20 cricket.

Royal Challengers Bangalore have already qualified for the IPL 2021 playoffs despite their four-run loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.

RCB skipper Virat Kohli and Australia’s swashbuckling all-rounder Glenn Maxwell have been the backbone of the team’s batting line-up in this season and both are ranked in the top 10 scorer’s list.

Strike rates are very overrated: Gautam Gambhir

Kohli amassed 362 runs from 13 innings at the strike rate of 121.48 while Maxwell has scored 447 runs at 146.56. Kohli has had some good starts to his innings but after a certain point the RCB skipper has slowed down which has made experts question his strike rate.

Gambhir said that both Kohli and Maxwell have different roles in the team and therefore their individual strike rate does not matter much.

“Strike rates are very overrated. You can expect Kohli to have a 600-run season but you can’t expect that from Maxwell, and you can never have Maxwell batting at a [strike rate of] 120-125 and expect Kohli to be batting on 160. So both of them are different and it’s a combination of everyone that makes a successful side,” Gambhir told ESPNcricinfo. 

Virat Kohli feels Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers can accelerate later in the innings: Gautam Gambhir

Kohli has opened for RCB in all matches and Gambhir justified his decision citing that the captain wants to anchor the team’s innings and has trust in his overseas power-hitters.

“(It) depends on the wicket and I believe the reason is Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers. He feels that those two guys can accelerate and he can play an anchor role in the second half, which he has done really well. That’s probably why he prefers to open the batting, get momentum in the first six overs and then continue batting while someone else from the other end can accelerate,” Gambhir mentioned. 

RCB will play their final match against Delhi Capitals on Friday (October 8) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Glenn Maxwell’s Dismissal Probably Turned The Game, States Mike Hesson