Virat Kohli enjoyed a stellar season in the recently concluded Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL). The right-handed batsman finished the season as the leading run-scorer.
While no other batsman could even touch the 600-run mark, he ended his campaign with an impressive 741 runs with the help of one century and five half-centuries. However, more than the runs he scored, it was his strike rate that was the main talking point throughout the IPL.
The former India captain has faced criticism on several occasions in the recent past for his strike rate, even though he has scored runs consistently. He worked on it during the IPL and was duly rewarded. Virat Kohli scored 741 runs from him with a strike rate of almost 155. He hit 62 fours and an impressive 38 sixes during the tournament.
One of the former players who did not hesitate to criticize Virat Kohli for his scoring pace was former New Zealand pacer and commentator Simon Doull. However, he changed his mind after Kohli’s performance in IPL 2024. Doull praised Kohli’s intention to play among the big six in the 17th edition of the IPL.
“I see a phenomenal player, a player who should dominate more than he was. That’s what I’m talking about (when I mention) his scoring pace. I felt like he was afraid to go out because he was worried about what was behind him.” him instead of (saying), “I’m so good.”
“It’s the same thing I said about Babar and I had a chat with him after talking about it in Pakistan and he said his coaches told him the same thing. What I loved about (Kohli) this year was the intent to hit sixes,” Doull said on Cricbuzz.
Simon Doull receives death threats:
Simon Doull has also revealed that he has received death threats for criticizing Virat Kohli. The former cricketer turned commentator further spoke about his relationship with Kohli and said that there is no problem between him and the former India captain.
Doull concluded by praising Kohli for his performance in the IPL this year, highlighting the changes the batting superstar made in his game to do well in the shortest format.
“He’s too good to worry about going out and that was always my point. I’ve said a thousand wonderful things about Virat Kohli, but I say one thing negative or interpreted as negative and I get death threats. It’s a shame.” “Doull said.
“There has never been a problem and I would never have a reason to have personal problems. When I look at the game and the way it has moved, particularly with the under impact, a strike rate of 130-135 was not enough anymore.
“What he did this year, I loved it. He took care of the bowling. He bowled hard, which we didn’t see much of. He’ll never stop having the fire. I thought about it later, maybe he’ll do it.” prosper with it. What else does he have to prosper? After 17 years of giving the game everything he’s given it, he needs something to energize him.
And if I can do that from an Indian cricket point of view, that’s good. I love coming to this country and working here, if I can cheer him up in some way then it will be good for him to turn around and try to prove people like me wrong. Because that’s just an opinion, they pay me for mine,” he added.
Kohli will now be seen in action in the T20 World Cup, starting next month. Team India will begin their campaign against Ireland on June 5.