'I get death threats': Doull on criticising Kohli

Virat Kohli showed a different side to himself in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), ending the season with a strike rate of 154.70, the highest he has ever maintained in an IPL season. Kohli's strike rate had been the centre of a bit of a storm at the start of the season and the former India captain himself admitted in later interviews that he made a conscious effort to keep his strike rate up throughout innings.

He said that his point always has been that Kohli shouldn't have to worry about getting out

Among those criticising Kohli for his strike rate was former New Zealand fast bowler and commentator Simon Doull. The 54-year-old has reversed his opinion since the early part of the season, even stating that Kohli was the best batter of the season in his books. Doull also revealed the flipside of criticising a player like Kohli, with the kind of following the latter has in India.

“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.