IPL 2024: 'What Kohli can do..' - KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir gives 'Reality Check' on Virat Kohli Criticism

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KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir has expressed his thoughts on the ongoing criticism of Virat Kohli's strike rate against spinners.

In the IPL 2024, Virat Kohli is in terrific form and is scoring runs serially. The RCB batter currently holds the Orange Cap with 500 runs in 10 matches this season.

But Kohli has been criticized for his slow scoring rate in the middle overs. India legend Sunil Gavaskar was not happy with Kohli's approach in the middle overs in the match against SRH.

The RCB stalwart went quiet after the powerplay and scored at a strike rate of just 76 after the fielding restrictions were lifted. He scored 51 runs off 43 balls with a strike rate of 118, which is considered very low in the modern version of T20 cricket.

Amid the criticism, Virat Kohli rose to his best in the match against Gujarat Titans on Sunday. He scored a brilliant 70 off just 44 balls and showed his destructive self against the spinners. Kohli then went on to take a dig at his critics.

Amid this, KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir has given a pragmatic view of the whole matter. In a chat with Sportskeeda, Gambhir opened up on the importance of having all kind of batters in the team. He also identified that winning is more important than the strike rate of a player.

"Every player has a different game. What Maxwell can do, Kohli cannot, and what Kohli can do, Maxwell cannot. You need to have different types of batters in your XI. If from No.1 to No.8 you stack it up with explosive batters, you may score 300 but also get bowled out for 30. When you win, even a strike rate of 100 is good. But when you lose despite having a strike rate of 180, no one talks about it. That is the reality," Gambhir said.

RCB have won consecutive matches and remains in the hunt for the playoffs. Virat Kohli is also expected to be in the India squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.