Virat Kohli’s rate of run production has divided fans and analysts as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season enters a critical phase. Although many people have praised the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) stalwart for his consistency in scoring runs, others are still unimpressed by his strike rate, particularly in the middle overs. A worrying statistic reflecting the disparate strike rate that Kohli has had at home and away has surfaced as Kohli’s team gets ready to play Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede on Tuesday.
Virat has so far participated in 6 home games and 4 away games in the 16th IPL season. The 34-year-old has scored 253 runs at a strike rate of 149.70 in his home games.
But in away matches, Virat Kohli’s strike rate drastically drops, with the seasoned hitter getting 166 runs at a strike rate of 117.73.
Even the quantity of sixes scored between home and away matches varies greatly. At M Chinnaswamy stadium, the legendary hitter has struck 10 sixes overall in 169 balls. However, he has only struck a maximum of 141 balls in away games.
Even former India head coach Ravi Shastri stated that Virat Kohli needs to improve at maintaining his temperature as his strike rate continues to garner criticism.
“Once you find your rhythm, keep it up; don’t care about the others. That will be Virat’s message from me. Let them carry out their duties. You don’t need as many batsmen in a T20 match. If you’re hot, keep going like that. Phil Salt is a prime illustration of that. You could see how he batted. Once he found his rhythm, he didn’t let go.
“It relieved the other batters of some pressure. Having said that, whether it was Marsh or Roussow, even they were hammering. From Virat’s perspective, there is something that might exist. After RCB’s game against Delhi Capitals, Shastri advised, according to ESPNCricinfo, “If he gets going don’t change your tempo, try and up the ante.”
Since the game against Mumbai is an “away game,” Kohli’s intentions and strategy will once again be under scrutiny.
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