The former Australian international, Matthew Hayden believes that someone like Virat Kohli shouldn’t be poked at as it would only entice the Indian icon to come out even better.
One of the biggest talking points coming to the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was Kohli’s strike rate which he seems to have put behind him with stellar performances for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and being the leading run-scorer for the season.
Speaking to Star Sports, Hayden seemingly agreed with the criticism surrounding Kohli and his strike rate in the shortest format. He said, “I understand from a fan’s point of view that Virat Kohli has copped a bit of criticism around the strike rate. It’ll always be the case because he’s a very conventional cricketer. He’s a very technical cricketer, which makes him great across all three formats.”
“He’s an extremely fit warrior. So he’ll be able to take games deep in Test match cricket, one day cricket and in fact, T20 cricket as well,” added Hayden.
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Hayden suggested that the biggest concern with Kohli was his ability to go about the middle overs with the same intensity as he does through the powerplay, rather than slowing down the scoring rate.
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“But one of the big concerns that we’ve all had is through the middle. And so, like all great champions, if there is something out there in the media or there’s something where you can feel yourself to improve, then you get about making your business to do so. And I sense that that’s exactly what’s happened to Virat Kohli this season,” the former Australian opener commented.
But the former CSK man highlighted Kohli’s ability to shut down his critics and commended the way he has been able to come past those challenges with flying colours, something he has seen only among the top-tier of athletes through his experience over the years.
“So, I love the way that it’s fueled his fire and fueled some improvement and, you know, look out. A dangerous athlete is one who’s been wounded. There have been a few in my lifetime that I can remember,” he highlighted.
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Hayden made the big comparison with some of the bigger names in cricket like Steve Waugh, Kevin Pietersen and Brian Lara where if you needle players of such stature, they just get better.
“Steve Waugh never used to have a word to him. Kevin Pietersen used to love the pressure. Brian Lara, Don’t talk to him. Why would you do that? He’ll just smash you. So, guys that are of that kind of quality, if you try and needle them, all they do is get better,” Hayden concluded.
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