NEW DELHI: Former New Zealand fast bowler and commentator Simon Doull made a startling revelation regarding his criticism of Virat Kohli‘s strike-rate.
Doull emphasised that despite having said “thousand good things” about the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain, he has experienced negative consequences for voicing his critiques.
While Doull has often praised the Indian batsman’s skills and achievements, he found that pointing out areas for improvement, such as strike-rate, can lead to backlash from passionate fans.
“I see a phenomenal player, a player who should be dominating more than what he was. That’s what I talk about (when I mention) his strike rate. I felt that he was afraid to get out because he was worried about what is behind him rather than (saying), ‘I’m so good’. It is the same thing I said about Babar and I had a chat with him after I talked about it in Pakistan and he said that his coaches told him the same thing. What I loved about (Kohli) this year was the intent to hit sixes,” said Doull on Cricbuzz.
He stated that his main point has always been that Kohli shouldn’t have to worry about getting out, and that it was probably one of the few negative comments he has made about the former RCB captain.
“He is too good to worry about getting out and that was always my point. I have said a thousand great things about Virat Kohli but I say one thing negative or construed to be negative, and I get death threats. That’s the shame of it,” he said.
“There has never been an issue and I would never have a reason to have personal problems. When I look at the game and the way it has moved, particularly with the impact sub, a strike rate of 130-135 didn’t cut it any more,” he said.
Kohli finished the IPL 2024 as the highest run-getter with 741 runs in 15 matches including a century and five fifties. He scored at an average of 61.75 and with a strike rate of 154.69 as an opener.
Doull emphasised that despite having said “thousand good things” about the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain, he has experienced negative consequences for voicing his critiques.
While Doull has often praised the Indian batsman’s skills and achievements, he found that pointing out areas for improvement, such as strike-rate, can lead to backlash from passionate fans.
“I see a phenomenal player, a player who should be dominating more than what he was. That’s what I talk about (when I mention) his strike rate. I felt that he was afraid to get out because he was worried about what is behind him rather than (saying), ‘I’m so good’. It is the same thing I said about Babar and I had a chat with him after I talked about it in Pakistan and he said that his coaches told him the same thing. What I loved about (Kohli) this year was the intent to hit sixes,” said Doull on Cricbuzz.
He stated that his main point has always been that Kohli shouldn’t have to worry about getting out, and that it was probably one of the few negative comments he has made about the former RCB captain.
“He is too good to worry about getting out and that was always my point. I have said a thousand great things about Virat Kohli but I say one thing negative or construed to be negative, and I get death threats. That’s the shame of it,” he said.
“There has never been an issue and I would never have a reason to have personal problems. When I look at the game and the way it has moved, particularly with the impact sub, a strike rate of 130-135 didn’t cut it any more,” he said.
Kohli finished the IPL 2024 as the highest run-getter with 741 runs in 15 matches including a century and five fifties. He scored at an average of 61.75 and with a strike rate of 154.69 as an opener.