DC vs RCB IPL 2026: Ex-India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar revealed that Virat Kohli's strike rate is currently more than 140 in the ongoing season. This is a response to criticism from experts, who highlighted how Kohli's below-par strike rate has affected Royal Challengers Bengaluru's batting. During his first 16 years in this tournament, Kohli batted at a strike rate of more than 140 in only three editions.
During IPL 2021 and 2022, Kohli posted strike rates of 119.47 and 115.9, struggling to accelerate, which increased pressure.
He showed signs of his old self during IPL 2023. Kohli batted freely as an opener alongside Faf Du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell. He made a brilliant comeback in IPL 2024, winning his second orange cap with a strike rate of 154.7.
ALSO READ: Srikkanth Slams Axar Patel, Calls DC ‘Gone Case’ After Shocking Batting Collapse vs RCB
“This is, again, going to rile up Virat Kohli fans. We have seen Virat Kohli bat differently and superbly this season. His strike rate is between 140 and 150. This is the same Virat Kohli; nothing has changed," Manjrekar was quoted as saying to Sportstar.
“He has decided to bat quicker. Why has he done this? He saw the pressure building and people talking about him batting too slowly," he said.
Kohli kept his form in IPL 2024, batting at a strike rate of 144.71.
ALSO READ: Virat Kohli Delivers Unmissable Speech At DPS RK Puram: 'This Is Going To Be Awkward'
“This 150 strike rate used to be 125-130, three to four years back. Back then, Virat Kohli would hit a boundary and then pick up a one or two. He wanted to extend his innings and play longer because he felt he had to be the man to bat in most of them. He didn’t trust the batters down the order," he revealed.
“RCB changed when Virat Kohli was at the top. He started batting quicker and didn’t make himself indispensable. That is when the others also blossomed," he concluded.