Babar Azam reacts to Virat Kohli's slowest IPL century record
Published - 08 Apr 2024, 02:39 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:10 AM
Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Babar Azam shared his views on the debate surrounding strike rate in the T20s after Virat Kohli’s latest century in the ongoing IPL 2024 raised many eyebrows.
During a podcast, Babar stressed that people will keep talking about strike rate, but his focus remains on winning matches and building innings according to the match situation. He also stressed the importance of adjusting strategies according to the situation.
Pakistan's national cricket team’s star batter, Babar, also asserted that he remains open to playing aggressively when the situation allows, but he always prioritizes match-winning strategies in T20s.
People keep talking about strike-rate: Babar Azam came out in support of Virat Kohli
His comments came after Virat Kohli smashed the slowest century in IPL history. The Royal Challengers Bangaluru (RCB) star batter hit a 67-ball century against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the ongoing IPL 2024. It was his 8th century in the IPL, but RCB lost the game by 6 wickets to RR.
As reported by TOI, Babar Azam said on a podcast: “People keep talking about strike-rate. I’m a different player. I see a situation and adapt to it...winning a match always remains the goal. I focus on winning, building an innings and batting at a strike-rate that helps in achieving that goal. Strike-rate is a separate story. Building an innings and winning are different things.”
Azam, who has often been criticized for his strike rate, stressed the different approaches batters have to adopt during various phases of an T20 innings, especially in the powerplay and death overs.
The Pakistan skipper explained, “You need a different approach in the first six overs and the last few. I know my game. I know how to make adjustments (according to the situation) and add value. The situation decides how I play. If it allows, I will definitely play in aggressive style.”
Babar admitted that it is very difficult to please everyone, saying people will always express their opinions, so he is just focused on his own game and playing style.
He signed off by saying, “No matter how well I play, people will continue to find an issue with my strike rate. They will keep raising the bar (for strike-rate) -- 150, then 170, then 200. Everyone has their own style. I don’t compare myself to others.”
RCB continue to struggle in the IPL 2024
Notably, RCB is presently struggling to win games as they have lost four of their five games in the ongoing IPL 2024 so far. RCB is currently placed in ninth place in the points table. However, the former India and RCB skipper is in great form with the bat.
The dashing right-hander is currently the leading run-getter in the ongoing IPL 2024, with 316 runs in 5 outings at an impressive average of over 105. The RCB will next face the eighth-placed Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 11.
On the other hand, Babar Azam was recently appointed white-ball captain of the Pakistan national team, taking over from Shaheen Shah Afridi. He will lead the Men in Green at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies in June.
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IPL 2024 Virat Kohli Babar Azam Pakistan National Cricket Team Indian National Cricket Team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)About the Author
Rashmi Wasnik is a passionate content writer with over a decade of experience. She started her journ... Read more
