'He is a human, so will play like a human too': Former India cricketers back Virat Kohli's fiery response to critics

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli's sublime batting display, an unbeaten 70 off 44 balls, guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a dominant nine-wicket victory against Gujarat Titans on Sunday, solidifying his position as the Orange Cap holder in IPL 2024.
However, amidst his stellar performance, Kohli's strike rate and approach faced scrutiny, prompting a fiery response from the former Indian captain.
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Following the match, Kohli unleashed a passionate retort to his critics, questioning their authority to comment 'from the box' and reaffirming his unwavering focus on ensuring his team's success. With over 15 years of professional cricket experience under his belt, Kohli emphasized the role of muscle memory in his consistent performances, shutting down doubts about his approach.

While Kohli's comments stirred debate among users, former India cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Navjot Singh Sidhu came to his defense during a commentary stint.
Kaif highlighted the natural ebb and flow of scoring rates during the middle overs, while Sidhu dismissed unrealistic expectations placed on Kohli, reminding critics of his human nature.

Kaif remarked, "All I hear about these days is strike-rate. People are after Kohli. Boss, between overs 7 and 15, it's obvious to slow down. The economy-rate of a spinner is lower than a fast bowler. Why? Because they bowl the middle overs."
Kaif underscored Kohli's adaptability to different phases of the game, advocating for a nuanced understanding of batting dynamics.
Meanwhile, Sidhu praised Kohli's exceptional batting prowess, particularly against spinners like Titans' Sai Kishore.
"People think Kohli is God. He is a human, so will play like a human too. Why don’t we look at the fact that the guy has 80 centuries. And if you look carefully, today he played off the backfoot and lofted the spinners. Tell me how many can do that? Hitting a left-arm spinner against the spin… how many can do that? So Kohli has a presence, he cherishes his wicket too. What else is he supposed to do?" Sidhu stated, highlighting Kohli's ability to cherish his wicket and execute difficult shots.

Kohli's remarkable form assumes significance as Team India prepares to announce its squad for the T20 World Cup, with pitches in the West Indies and USA expected to pose challenges for batsmen. Kohli's wealth of experience in such conditions positions him as a key asset in India's pursuit of glory, as they aim to overcome their ICC trophy drought.