Is Virat Kohli’s strike rate a concern? Ajit Agarkar says Team India think tank has not been discussing it

Virat Kohli sits on second spot in the IPL 2024 Orange Cap standings with 500 runs from 10 innings (just nine runs behind CSK's Ruturaj Gaikwad). His runs have come at a strike rate of 147.49.

RCB's Virat Kohli in action during IPL cricket match between RCB and GT at Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Virat Kohli’s strike rate at the ongoing Indian Premier League has been a topic of plenty of debate. While the Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter sits on second spot in the IPL 2024 Orange Cap standings with 500 runs from 10 innings (just nine runs behind CSK’s Ruturaj Gaikwad), his runs have come at a strike rate of 147.49.

This has led to plenty of debate whether India need two players like Rohit Sharma and Kohli at the top of the batting who cannot accelerate the innings with the pace that modern T20 format demands.

On Thursday, India captain Rohit Sharma and the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar were asked about Virat Kohli’s strike rate and whether it was a matter of concern for them.

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Agarkar answered the question about Virat Kohli’s strike rate.

“We have not been discussing it (Virat Kohli’s strike rate). He has been in great form, no concerns there at all. You are still going to a World Cup, there is still gap there. That’s where experience does matter a lot. If the tournament turns out like the IPL. If 220 (pitch) plays like 220, we have the skills. At the end of the day when you turn up for a World Cup, the pressure is different,” he reasoned.

Virat Kohli himself had recently spoken out about the scrutiny over his strike rate.

“All the people who talk about strike rates and me not playing spin well are the ones talking about this stuff. For me, it’s about winning games for the team and there’s a reason why you’ve done it for 15 years, you’ve done this day in and day out, you’ve won games for your teams,” he said during a post-match presentation.

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“I’m not quite sure if you haven’t been in that situation yourself, to sit and talk about the game from the box. For me, people can talk about their assumptions day in and day out, but those who have done (it) day in and day out, they know what’s happening and it’s a kind of muscle memory for me now,” he said.