Sanjay Manjrekar| Image: X..com
Former Indian cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has once again sparked a debate about Virat Kohli’s strike rate, a topic that has been the talk of the town since IPL 2024.
According to Manjrekar, Virat Kohli’s half-century in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa placed India in a ‘tight position’ due to his slow scoring rate early on.
Kohli once again showed his ability to thrive under pressure, steadying India’s innings and accelerating towards the end. He scored 76 runs from 59 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes.
Virat Kohli’s innings was initially slow, partly due to Axar Patel’s aggressive batting at the other end. moreover, Manjrekar added that Kohli’s knock did not allow ‘devastating’ Hardik Pandya to face more balls.
Reflecting on the match, Manjrekar commented to ESPNCricinfo:
“By playing that innings, Hardik Pandya, one of their most devastating batters, had just two balls to face. So I thought India’s batting was good, but Virat Kohli had potentially played an innings that would’ve put India in a tight corner. And it almost proved to be that, before these guys’ bowlers came in the end.”
Manjrekar further suggested that the Man of the Match award should have gone to a bowler instead of Virat Kohli. Notably, Hardik Pandya was the pick of the bowlers for India, having snagged a three-wicket haul.
The Indian all-rounder picked up the crucial wicket of Heinrich Klaasen, who was looking in a great touch. Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah also picked up two wickets each to help India get their hands on the World Cup trophy.
“India were in a losing position, 90 percent winning chances (for South Africa). The complete turnaround actually saved Virat Kohli’s innings because he played virtually half the innings with a strike-rate of 128. My Player of the Match would’ve been a bowler because they actually took the game from the jaws of defeat and won it for India,” Manjrekar added.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has retired from T20Is following their World Cup win. However, he assured to continue representing India in the other two formats.
