'He is going to come in and look to strike away' - Matthew Hayden backs Virat Kohli ahead of T20 WC amid strike rate concerns

In the ongoing IPL, Virat Kohli’s bat may be making some noise, but it's also drawing criticism, particularly regarding his strike rate as an opener. The Indian batting maestro, currently holding the coveted Orange Cap with 542 runs at a strike rate of 148.09, faced a scathing comment from none other than Sunil Gavaskar.

Gavaskar questioned whether players like Kohli expect commentators to shower them with praise even when their scoring pace falls short. Comparing Kohli’s strike rate with other openers in the T20 league, it’s evident that there’s room for improvement.

The debate intensifies when considering India’s lineup for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The question looms: should Kohli partner with Rohit Sharma at the top, or should he step down to number three? With the Powerplay phase crucial for setting the tone, some argue that someone like Yashasvi Jaiswal might be a better fit for opening alongside Sharma.

Matthew Hayden, the Australian cricket legend, acknowledged the rising trend of strike rates in T20 cricket. He believes Kohli, with a strike-rate hovering around 150, sits in the sweet spot. Hayden emphasized that regardless of Kohli's position, fireworks are expected during the initial six overs.

“That strike-rate is trending in the right direction, it’s trending up. Look at the IPL over the last four years, it’s gone from mid and around 120, then it goes 130 and then 140 and 150. So 150 for me is kind of that sweet spot that starts in and everyone having a conversation well where do you bat? Is it three, is it open? You know those first six overs, it doesn’t matter if Kohli is in those first six overs. You know that there’s going to be fireworks,” Hayden said on Star Sports.

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However, Hayden suggested that Kohli won’t hesitate to unleash his aggression during the T20 World Cup, especially in the favorable conditions expected in the West Indies. With a batting lineup boasting remarkable firepower, Kohli knows he has the support to go all out.

“You also know that these conditions are going to be in the West Indies. They’re not so sure about those conditions in New York. I’ve seen that overlaid venue and it looks magnificent. But certainly through the West Indies, they’re going to be benign conditions and Kohli is going to come in and look to strike away knowing that he has a superb batting side that also has a great strike rate,” Hayden added.