India’s star batter, Virat Kohli, had a disappointing start to the T20 World Cup 2024, managing just 1 run off 5 balls in the team’s opening match against Ireland in New York on June 5. Kohli, known for his aggressive style, seemed to be trying too hard to hit big shots right from the start. His attempt to loft a Mark Adair delivery ended in disaster as he edged the ball to third man while dancing down the track.
During his brief stay at the crease, Virat Kohli never appeared to be in control, which caught the attention of former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar. Manjrekar observed that Kohli seemed to be under pressure to maintain a high strike rate, a challenge he has faced criticism for in the past.
Given that India was chasing a modest target of 97 runs against Ireland, Sanjay Manjrekar felt that Kohli could have afforded to take his time and settle in.
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“I am very surprised that he got out. He got out while trying to play a shot. Somewhere he was feeling the pressure of strike rate. In IPL he managed it. In this match, he didn’t need to play a brisk knock. He could have played normally; on such pitches, he wouldn’t get out if he played with the class he shows in Test cricket,” said Sanjay Manjrekar in an interview with ESPNcricinfo.
It’s noteworthy that Kohli’s strike rate had been a point of contention in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL), but he responded to his critics with his best performance in terms of strike rate in his IPL career.
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Virat Kohli won the Orange Cap in IPL 2024, scoring 741 runs in 15 matches at an impressive average of 61.75. His strike rate of 154.70 was the highest he had ever achieved in the IPL. Despite this setback, Kohli’s recent form in the IPL suggests that he has the ability to bounce back. The cricket world will be watching closely to see how he adjusts his approach in the upcoming matches of the T20 World Cup.
