Gautam Gambhir strongly reacts to debate around Virat Kohli's strike rate in IPL 2024 ahead of T20 World Cup, says 'when you lose...'

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir shared his thoughts on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Virat Kohli's strike rate in the T20 format. He also explained his perspective on the contentious issue. RCB won the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 35 runs but the star was criticised for his 43-ball 51. As RCB’s batting ended, an intense chatter around Kohli’s intent and strike rate began. His strike rate was also compared to other explosive batters in the format.

Gambhir also spoke about the balance between the strike rate and the match situation. He said that every player has his own distance style of play. 

"Every player has a different game. What Maxwell can do, Kohli cannot and what Kohli can do, Maxwell cannot. You need to have different types of batters in your XI. If from No.1 to No.8 you stack it up with explosive batters, you may score 300 but also get bowled out for 30. When you win, even a strike rate of 100 is good. But when you lose despite having a strike rate of 180, no one talks about it. That is the reality,” Gautam Gambhir further said.

 

In the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), Virat Kohli has scored 430 runs at a strike rate of 145.76 including 40 boundaries and 17 sixes so far.

 

Gautam Gambhir remarked on the media role by saying that hype can also be created positively.  

 

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"It is all about TRPs. Media has got no clue what kind of a person I am, what kind of a person Virat is. All the media wants to do is create hype. But hype can also be created in a positive way," Gambhir told Sportskeeda.

 

In a recent match between RCB and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Virat and Gambhir were seen hugging and sharing a chat on the field, dismissing the rumours of a rift between both players.

 

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"I absolutely second what Virat said. Logon ka masala nahi mila toh (The gossip bit is over for people). As I said, when two people are matured enough, I don't think so anyone has got any right to interfere between two people's life or their relationships because ultimately, it is between two of them,” Gambhir added.

 

 

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