Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has come to the defense of Virat Kohli, shutting down critics who questioned his strike rate in the ongoing IPL 2025 season.
Kohli, who has been in exceptional form, smashed a 62-run knock off 33 balls against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), marking his fourth consecutive half-century and propelling him to the top of the Orange Cap race with 505 runs in 11 matches.
Pathan took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight Kohli’s adaptability, stating, “He can anchor the innings, like he did last game with a strike rate close to 100. He can go aggressive, like today with a strike rate of 187. He is a true champion in white-ball cricket. He is Virat Kohli!”.
Kohli’s latest performance saw him rewrite multiple IPL records, including becoming the highest run-scorer against a single franchise, surpassing David Warner’s tally. He also became the first player to hit over 300 sixes for a single T20 team and overtook Chris Gayle for the most sixes at a single IPL venue.
Despite criticism over his strike rate in previous matches, Kohli’s ability to switch gears based on match situations has been widely praised. His knock against CSK played a crucial role in RCB’s narrow two-run victory, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
With Kohli continuing to dominate the tournament, Pathan’s remarks serve as a strong reminder of the batting maestro’s versatility and consistency in T20 cricket.
Stay tuned for more IPL 2025 updates.
