'It is evolving...' - KL Rahul takes unexpected U-turn on his 4-year-old 'overrated' remarks about strike rate amidst Kohli-Gavaskar controversy

None of the cricket fans, followers of the game or cricket journalists would have expected that the ‘strike rate’ would become such a ‘hot’ and ‘debatable’ topic in the Indian Premier League 2024. It has also taken centre stage when two Indian cricketing legends of different generations, Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli came up bluntly with the opinions on air.

Meanwhile, the veteran Indian batter KL Rahul has also left everyone amazed and shocked with his recent statement on ‘strike rate’, which had taken a U-turn on his 4-year-old statement in which he termed 'strike rate' as an ‘overrated’ discussion.

“Look, I think strike rate is very, very overrated. For me, it's only about how I can win games for my team,” said KL Rahul 4 years back in 2020 when he was leading the Punjab Kings. He also stood with the same stance three years after this statement. “Strike rate depends upon the demand, like if you chase 140 – you don’t need to go with 200 strike rate – it depends upon the current situation,” said KL Rahul last year in 2023.

'The format is changing' - KL Rahul's recent stance about 'strike rate'

Recently on Sunday, KL Rahul completely changed his stand over the same topic of ‘strike rate’ and unexpectedly took a U-turn from his old remarks that he kept saying about the ‘strike rate’ issue.

“There's been a lot of talk about strike rates and the format is changing. Even 220 is now safe. It is evolving,” said KL Rahul at the time of the toss before the game against KKR at the home ground Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Speaking of the current batting performances, KL Rahul has been brilliant while playing for LSG in the ongoing IPL 2024. The LSG skipper and the senior wicketkeeper-batter is currently the leading run-scorer for his side in the current season of the tournament, scoring 431 runs in 11 innings with an average of 39.18, hitting 3 half-centuries. He has a strike rate of 141.31.