Rohit, Agarkar not worried about Virat Kohli’s T20 form, refuse to discuss his ‘strike rate’

In a detailed presser on Thursday (May 2) in Mumbai, India Captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar discussed various topics, including growing concerns around star batter Virat Kohli’s T20 strike rate. Despite plenty of talk on how Kohli slows down as his inning progresses in this format with the social media filled with stats around that, Agarkar said the leadership group didn’t even feel the need to discuss that while picking the 2024 T20 World Cup squad.

Addressing questions around the same, Agarkar said Virat has been in top-notch form and was one of the first names on the team sheet for the 20-team tournament. Agarkar, a former T20 World Cup winner, backed Kohli, saying experience plays ahugerole on such stages, and that is where Virat comes into the picture.

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“We have not been discussing it (Virat Kohli’s strike rate). He has been in great form; no concerns there at all. You are still going to a World Cup, thereis still a gap there. That’s where experience does matter a lot," said Agarkar.

“If the tournament turns out like the IPL. If 220 (pitch) plays like 220, we have the skills. At the end of the day, when you turn up for a World Cup, the pressure is different,” Agarkar said of Kohli’s strike rate and selection for the T20 World Cup," he further added.

Kohli bashes doubters

Following remaining unbeaten against Gujarat Titans in a successful run chase, Kohli, who scored 70 off 44 balls, bashed the ones who kept questioning his commitment to the team in the name of poor strike rate. After the game, which RCB won by nine wickets – their third thus far this season, Kohli said those who sit in a box and talk about his T20 strike rate haven’t been in his situation.

“All the people who talk about strike rates and me not playing spin well are the ones talking about this stuff. For me, it’s about winning games for the team, and there’s a reason why you’ve done it for 15 years, you’vedone this day in and day out, you’vewon games for your teams,” Kohli said after helping his team win against GT.

“I’m notquitesure if you haven’t been in that situation yourself, to sit and talk about the game from the box. For me, people can talk about their assumptions day in and day out, but those who have done (it) day in and dayout,they know what’s happening, and it’s a kind of muscle memory for me now,” the India star continued.

Meanwhile, as things stand, Kohli is the second-highest run-getter in IPL 2024, with 500 runs in ten matches and astrike rate of147.49.