Hayden’s feedback got here within the wake of former India captain Sunil Gavaskar‘s criticism of Kohli’s explosive response to critics questioning his scoring price in IPL 2024.
Kohli performed a scintillating efficiency in opposition to Gujarat Titans, the place he scored an unbeaten 70 off 44 balls, together with a blistering show in opposition to spinners.Kohli’s response to criticism relating to his scoring intent within the center overs has sparked intense debate inside the cricketing fraternity.In evaluating Kohli’s potential function as an opener for India within the T20 World Cup, Hayden emphasised the numerous enchancment in Kohli’s strike price over the previous 4 IPL seasons.
“That strike price is trending in the appropriate path, it is trending up,” Hayden commented on Star Sports activities. “So 150 for me is sort of that candy spot that begins in and everybody having dialog effectively the place you bat? Is it three, is it open? You realize these first six overs, it does not matter if Kohli is in these first six overs. You realize that there is going to be fireworks.”
Hayden highlighted Kohli’s adaptability and aggressive method no matter his batting place, significantly within the context of the explosive nature of the primary six overs in T20 cricket. He expressed confidence in Kohli’s skill to ship fireworks no matter the place he bats within the lineup.
Reflecting on the upcoming T20 World Cup within the West Indies, Hayden emphasised the favorable batting circumstances and Kohli’s proficiency in capitalizing on such surfaces. He cited Kohli’s excellent file as an opener in T20Is, together with his sensational century within the Asia Cup final yr, as proof of his functionality to excel within the function.
Nevertheless, Hayden additionally acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the circumstances in New York, one of many venues for the T20 World Cup, whereas expressing confidence in Kohli’s adaptability and the firepower of India’s batting lineup.
“They are not so certain about these circumstances in New York. I’ve seen that overlaid venue and it appears to be like magnificent. However definitely by way of the West Indies, they will be benign circumstances and Kohli goes to return in and look to strike away realizing that he has an outstanding batting aspect that additionally has a terrific strike price,” Hayden added.
