Virat Kohli's strike rate an issue for him to get into India's T20 World Cup Squad? Brian Lara passes defining verdict

Former West Indies batter and World cricketing icon Brian Lara has come in defense of Indian batting stalwart and RCB opener Virat Kohli in the context of his strike rate, which is being criticized a lot in IPL 2024.

All the talks around Kohli's strike rate sparked when he smacked one of the slowest centuries ever recorded in IPL history during Bengaluru's 5th league stage match against Rajasthan Royals on April 6th.

The former RCB captain had acted as the lone wolf of the batting unit as he stayed till the end without any concrete support from other batters in the order. 

Virat Kohli had paired along with Faf du Plessis in the opening slot as usual and the duo, before the departure of du Plessis, had amassed this season's highest partnership for the first wicket.

The Indian and South African batting duo had scored 125 runs before du Plessis was sent back to the pavilion by Yuzvendra Chahal in the final ball of the 14th over for 44 off 33.

With the way that RCB had started in the 1st innings, it had looked like they would put at least 200 runs on the board but the lack of support to Kohli by other batters prevented the visitors from doing so. 

It was all up to the shoulders of Virat Kohli to lead from the front and put a respectable target in place but despite his best efforts, all RCB could post was 182.

The main point of discussion was the amount of balls that Kohli took to reach his first triple figures of the season.

It took him 67 balls to complete his century and his strike rate was at 156 which made him a major subject of criticism but Brian Lara thinks that it was justified. 

Brian Lara says a 130-140 strike rate is enough for an opener in T20 cricket   

While speaking to Star Sports recently, Brian Lara expressed that according to him, if an opening batter bats at a strike rate of 130-140, then it's pretty decent. Lara also claimed that strike rates depend upon the position of a batsman and highlighted the fact that strike rates tend to go up during the later stages of an innings.

If that is the case, then pundits and fans on social media have no right to criticize Virat Kohli as he was striking at a rate of nearly 157. 

"The strike rate depends on position, and for an opener strike rate of 130-140 is pretty alright. But if you are coming in the middle-order then you may be required to hit at 150 or 160. As you have seen in this IPL, batsmen are hitting at 200 in the latter part of an innings." - Brian Lara said via Star Sports. 

Lara feels Virat Kohli has to be in India's top order in the T20 WC 

Brian Lara further added that Virat Kohli has to be there in the Indian team's top order along with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill during the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.

Lara further backed Kohli to operate in the same role as he does in the IPL but also claimed that a youthful opener like Gill or Yashasvi Jaiswal would suit the team better.  

"I think Rohit and Virat going as openers to the West Indies (for WC) will serve India very well. Though, I think that you should have some youthful punch in the opening. One of the younger players, showing their mettle, and having one of those experienced players shepherd the innings in the middle-order." - Lara concluded.