‘People think he is God’ – Navjot Singh Sidhu comes to Virat Kohli’s defence after strike rate remark

Virat Kohli. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli was one of the best performers in his side’s recent win against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. Chasing a target of 201 runs, it was Kohli and Will Jacks who helped RCB register their third win of the season, finishing the game with nine wickets and four overs to spare.

Kohli stayed unbeaten on a score of 70 runs in 44 deliveries and solidified his position in the IPL Orange Cap standings with 500 runs to his name. Despite his good batting form, Kohli has been often criticised over his strike rate this season. After the win against Titans, Kohli pointed out how it is easy to comment from outside but competing at the ground is a different story. Meanwhile, amid the criticism, former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu came to Kohli’s defence.

Kohli played off the backfoot, lofted the spinners; tell me how many can do that?: Navjot Singh Sidhu

“People think Kohli is God. He is a human, so will play like a human too. Rather than nitpick, why don’t we look at the fact that the guy has 80 centuries. That’s his strength and weakness, he has none. And if you look carefully, today he played off the backfoot and lofted the spinners. Tell me how many can do that? Hitting a left-arm spinner against the spin… how many can do that? So, Kohli has a presence, he cherishes his wicket too. What else is he supposed to do?” Sidhu told Star Sports.

Mohammad Kaif, part of the same discussion, also came in Kohli’s defence opining that it is obvious that he would play at a lower strike rate in the middle overs. “All I hear about these days is strike-rate. People are after Kohli. Boss, between overs 7 and 15, it’s obvious to slow down. The economy-rate of a spinner is lower than a fast bowler. Why? Because they bowl the middle overs,” Kaif said.