“Very Disappointing Question”: Irfan Pathan Loses His Cool When Asked About Virat Kohli’s Strike-Rate

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Unnati Madan

 

There has been a lot of discussion and criticism regarding Virat Kohli’s strike rate and perceived lack of aggression during the IPL 2024 season. The debate has been so intense that Virat Kohli himself has responded assertively to silence his critics.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan reacted strongly when asked if Virat Kohli has done enough to secure his place in India’s T20 World Cup team, expressing disappointment with the question.

Irfan Pathan Loses His Cool When Asked About Virat Kohli’s Strike-Rate

"Very Disappointing Question": Irfan Pathan Loses His Cool When Asked About Virat Kohli's Strike-Rate

Speaking on Star Sports in response to a question from a fan. Irfan said: “First of all, it is a very disappointing question. This question that is being raised is very disappointing. How can the question be raised whether or not Virat Kohli will get a place in the World Cup?,” 

He added: “I am not talking about the strike rate of IPL, we are talking about the Indian selection here,”

As a pundit on Star Sports, Irfan has frequently discussed Kohli’s strike rate and his challenges with accelerating during the middle overs of matches. He said:

“Talking of specifically for Virat Kohli, you know this innings actually showed the world again that, it doesn’t matter what strike-rate he plays. He wants his team to win, and that’s why sometimes he’s going to play slow, but he always wants to play according to the situation.”

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In the match against the Gujarat Titans, Virat Kohli scored a brisk 70 runs off 44 balls, while his partner Will Jacks smashed a century off 41 balls to guide Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to victory. Kohli’s innings helped him surpass 500 runs in the current campaign, and he also reclaimed the Orange Cap as the leading run-scorer in the tournament.

“It’s good news for Virat Kohli, good news for RCB, but in long-term, great news for Team India because you know a lot of chatter has been there around for Virat Kohli’s strike-rate and his form. You have to just make it strike-rate plus average. He’s got an orange cap on his hand, 500 runs, outstanding,” 

He added: “And I don’t understand where all the talks of strike-rate comes in. It actually disappoints me, to ask you those questions. I’ve been actually talking about it from day one. Don’t question that because he’s a big-match player. He always wins you games. And today look what he did. Look, it was a slow start. He played down the ground really well. He played the slog sweep really well as well. And this shot sweep shot. He doesn’t play that much, but he played all around today, and that is why he’s able to get that success,”

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