Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had a remarkable second half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 but their title hopes shattered with a loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator. If there was one man who led RCB's comeback by example after they looked dead and buried in the first half, it was Virat Kohli. And now, his teammate Dinesh Karthik, who retired from the IPL with the conclusion of the season disclosed that it was comments from commentators like Simon Doull that spurred him on and motivated him to do well.
"I can write a book on how he was this year. He started okay but thanks to people like Simon (Doull) and a few others, they just really spurred him on. And you don't want to see that side of Virat Kohli. I think he thrives on that. He is someone who inadvertently wants to hold on to certain things to do well," Karthik said during a discussion on Cricbuzz.
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"He loves proving people wrong, and even though he might not come out and say it, it really fuels his passion and he's like a molten lava coming out. He's fiery and you don't want to be anywhere close to it because you're going to get burnt for sure because he's done this time and time again," he added.
Virat Kohli Wins Orange Cap In IPL 2024
While there has hardly been a difference in opinion about Kohli's run-scoring ability, a section of the fans and cricket experts have criticised his strike rate with Doull also making a poinnt against it in the past.
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In IPL 2024, however, not only did Kohli end up as the leading run-scorer with 741 runs to win the Orange Cap but his strike rate was an exemplary 154.70. Kohli smashed 62 fours and 38 sixes in IPL 2024 apart from being at his athletic best when it comes to running between the wickets and affecting run outs and catches as a fielder.