Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan asked to end the chatter about Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli’s strike rate in IPL 2024, referring him to as a “big match player” and a match-winner as well. Despite batting at a career-best strike rate this season, Kohli faced criticism because of his slow-pace innings after the powerplay, especially against spinners.

However, he did well against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Sunday when he scored 70 (44), with eight of his nine boundaries coming against spinners. With Will Jacks smashing a century on the other end, RCB chased down 201 in just 16 overs to register a nine-wicket win as well.

“And I don’t understand where all the talks of strike rate comes in. It actually disappoints me,” Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports after the match. “I’ve been actually talking about it from day one. Don’t question that because he’s a big-match player. He always wins you games. And today look what he did. Look, it was a slow start. He played down the ground really well. He played the slog sweep really well as well. And this shot sweep shot. He doesn’t play that much, but he played all around today, and that is why he’s able to get that success.”

However, Virat Kohli himself seemed affected by the chatter. After the match, he opened up about how he has played the game for 15 years and knows better than those who are commentating from outside as well.

“You know this innings actually showed the world again that, it doesn’t matter what strike rate he plays. He wants his team to win, and that’s why sometimes he’s going to play slow, but he always wants to play according to the situation. It’s good news for Virat Kohli, good news for RCB, but in long term, great news for Team India because you know a lot of chatter has been there around for Virat Kohli’s strike rate and his form. You have to just make it strike-rate plus average. He’s got an orange cap on his hand, 500 runs, outstanding,” Irfan Pathan concluded.