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Virat Kohli’s resurgence in IPL 2024 has sparked a heated discussion about strike rate versus experience in T20 cricket. While Kohli leads the run-scorers chart with a staggering 316 runs in just 5 innings, his strike rate of 146 has raised eyebrows.
Brian Lara comes in support of Virat Kohli’s selection for T20 World Cup 2024
This debate intensified after Kohli’s painstaking 67-ball century against Rajasthan Royals (RR), which tied the record for the slowest IPL hundred. However, legendary Brian Lara believes strike rate shouldn’t overshadow Kohli’s overall value.
Lara argued that Kohli’s position as an opener allows for a lower initial strike rate, with the flexibility to accelerate later. He emphasized on Kohli’s ability to anchor the innings and build a strong foundation, a crucial skill for any team.
“The strike-rate depends on position, and for an opener strike-rate of 130-140 is pretty alright. But if you are coming in the middle-order then you may be required to hit at 150 or 160. As you have seen in this IPL, batsmen are hitting at 200 in the latter part of an innings,” Lara said during the Star Sports Press Room.
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Lara picks India’s top 3 for T20 World Cup 2024
The West Indian legend proposed Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill as India’s ideal top three for the T20 World Cup, prioritizing experience. However, he acknowledged the benefit of youthful energy and suggests pairing Kohli with a younger opener.
“But an opener like Kohli always has the chance of starting at 130, bat through the overs and finish at 160 or even higher, which is alright “But if you ask me, India’s top three in the World Cup should be Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill irrespective of all these,” added Lara.
Kohli’s form and the debate surrounding his strike rate highlight the complexities of team selection in modern cricket. Whether India prioritizes experience or opts for a more aggressive approach with younger players remains to be seen.
