IPL 2024: Babar Azam Stands Up for Virat Kohli on T20 Strike Rate Discussion
Babar Azam recently talked about hot topic strike rate in T20 cricket.
Virat Kohli’s strike rate has been a hot topic despite his magnificent performance, where he scored the first century of IPL 2024 for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru against the Rajasthan Royals.
Pundits and supporters were prompt to mention that Virat Kohli‘s ‘slow’ batting style in reaching his century might have been a factor in RCB’s failure to achieve a score above 200.
During the latest episode of a podcast aired on Zalmi TV, Babar discussed the significance of the strike rate in contemporary cricket and how its relevance can vary depending on the circumstances.
“Look, strike rate and building an innings, as well as winning a match, are distinct matters. When you win a match, both aspects are addressed. It’s a gradual process, understanding how to approach the first six overs and the subsequent ones. I am well aware of my cricketing abilities, knowing precisely what adjustments I need to make. The critical factor is the situation; if it permits, I’ll play freely.”
Babar broke it down, saying every batter’s game plan has to be unique. He added that if the situation calls for it, he’s all in for some aggressive hitting. Despite facing flak for his strike rate, Babar shrugged it off, noting that expectations will forever be on the rise.
“Sometimes, it’s confusing; people will argue it (strike rate) should be 170 when it’s 150, and if I play at 170, they will demand 200. Every player has their unique style, and I don’t like these comparisons,” Babar added.
Babar Azam’s words also serve as a reality check for all the critics who were taking shots at Virat Kohli for his slowest century in IPL history against Rajasthan Royals. But considering the circumstances in which he achieved that feat, it’s hard to judge, given that the team relied heavily on Kohli with no other RCB batters stepping up.
