🧠 Virat Kohli’s Slowest Innings in T20 & IPL History: Stats, Strategy & Strikes
Is Virat Kohli’s anchoring style a strength or a liability in modern T20s? Dive into a detailed breakdown of his top 10 slowest innings, including the slowest 50 in IPL 2025, strike rate debates, expert reactions, and comparisons with T20 greats. Packed with insights, scorecards, and context—this is the ultimate deep dive into one of cricket’s most talked-about batting approaches.
Virat Kohli’s name is synonymous with passion, consistency, and run-scoring dominance across formats. As one of the highest run-getters in T20 and IPL history, Kohli has built a reputation as a fierce competitor who anchors innings with remarkable control. However, his T20 strike rate, particularly during certain innings, has come under intense scrutiny, especially in recent IPL seasons.
From being hailed as a “run machine” to facing media flak for his slower innings, Kohli’s T20 journey presents a fascinating case of evolution, adaptation, and criticism. In this article, we dissect Virat Kohli’s slowest innings in T20 and IPL history, dig into match situations, media narratives, and how his approach compares to other modern greats.
Whether you’re a data-driven analyst, a Kohli supporter, or a curious IPL fan, this deep dive will reveal the facts behind the strike rate debates, exploring if the criticism is truly justified.
Top 10 Slowest Innings by Virat Kohli in T20s & IPL (Minimum 25+ balls faced)
Here’s a data-backed look at Kohli’s slowest innings ranked by strike rate, sourced from ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz match data:
1. 18 off 30 balls vs LSG, IPL 2023
- Date: May 1, 2023
- Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- Strike Rate: 60.00
- Match Situation: RCB batting first on a slow pitch
- Result: RCB won by 18 runs
Context: Kohli’s unusually slow knock drew heavy criticism. The sluggish pitch offered low bounce, and Kohli, attempting to anchor, struggled to rotate strike. However, the team managed a defendable total, thanks to a strong bowling performance.
2. 23 off 27 balls vs Delhi Capitals, IPL 2024
- Date: April 28, 2024
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Strike Rate: 85.18
- Match Situation: Slow start after early wickets
- Result: RCB lost by 7 wickets
Media Reaction: This knock reignited the debate around Kohli’s intent in the powerplay. With a run rate under pressure, experts like Simon Doull criticized Kohli for “batting for milestones” — a claim that polarized fans.
3. 45 off 51 balls vs SRH, IPL 2020
- Date: November 6, 2020
- Venue: Abu Dhabi
- Strike Rate: 88.23
- Match Situation: Eliminator match
- Result: RCB lost, knocked out
Key Insight: Possibly the most high-pressure slow knock of his career. With a spot in the next round at stake, Kohli’s tentative batting couldn’t capitalize on the powerplay. Critics pointed to a lack of urgency, especially when AB de Villiers was at the other end.
4. 34 off 33 balls vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2022 (Asia Cup Warm-Up)
- Date: August 28, 2022
- Venue: Dubai
- Strike Rate: 103.03
- Match Situation: Return match post-rest period
- Result: India won, but Kohli struggled early on
Expert Take: Kohli later admitted he was “still finding his rhythm” after an extended break. While his strike rate improved later in the tournament, this innings showed signs of rust.
5. 33 off 29 balls vs RR, IPL 2022
- Date: April 26, 2022
- Venue: Pune
- Strike Rate: 113.79
- Result: RCB lost
Public Sentiment: Kohli’s form was under the scanner. He had back-to-back golden ducks before this match, and while he batted cautiously to avoid another failure, the slow innings hurt the chase.
6. 39 off 35 balls vs MI, IPL 2012
- Date: May 14, 2012
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Strike Rate: 111.43
- Match Situation: RCB defending a below-par score
- Result: MI won comfortably
Note: Even early in his career, Kohli had innings where his anchor role backfired. This game illustrated the balance between aggression and preservation he struggled with at times.
7. 50 off 42 balls vs CSK, IPL 2025
- Date: April 10, 2025
- Venue: Chepauk Stadium
- Strike Rate: 119.04
- Match Situation: Tough pitch, Chennai spinners dominant
- Result: RCB lost by 5 runs
Highlight: This became the slowest 50 in IPL 2025 at the time. While Kohli’s fifty was technically crucial, it lacked momentum, leading to a collapse at the death overs.
8. 31 off 30 balls vs England, T20I 2018
- Date: July 6, 2018
- Venue: Cardiff
- Strike Rate: 103.33
- Match Situation: India chasing 150+
- Result: India lost
Match Analysis: Against a disciplined English bowling attack, Kohli failed to accelerate. His timing was off, and the chase slipped away despite a good platform.
9. 29 off 28 balls vs KKR, IPL 2019
- Date: April 19, 2019
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Strike Rate: 103.57
- Result: RCB won
Perspective: Kohli played a slow knock but stayed till the 16th over, anchoring for AB de Villiers to explode later. Sometimes a slow innings is part of the strategy.
10. 58 off 48 balls vs GT, IPL 2023
- Date: May 21, 2023
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
- Strike Rate: 120.83
- Result: RCB lost, out of playoffs
Narrative: Kohli scored a century in the previous match, but this knock, while the top score, failed to push the rate in a must-win game.
Comparative Strike Rate: Kohli vs Other T20 Icons
| Player | Career T20I SR | IPL SR | Anchor Role Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 138.15 | 130.54 | High |
| Babar Azam | 129.14 | N/A | Very High |
| Jos Buttler | 146.23 | 149.71 | Low |
| David Warner | 142.62 | 139.91 | Medium |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 170.00+ | 151.19 | Very Low |
Observation: Kohli’s role has often mirrored that of Babar Azam — anchor-first. While he can accelerate, he prefers building innings, especially on difficult pitches or in chasing scenarios.
Why the Strike Rate Debate Persists
Key Factors:
- T20 Evolution: The modern game favors explosive batting at all stages, especially in powerplays and death overs.
- Intent vs. Impact: Kohli’s slower starts often appear out of sync with teammates like Maxwell or Surya who play with immediate aggression.
- Team Balance: In an RCB team that historically lacks lower-order finishers, Kohli often plays cautiously to avoid collapses.
Expert Opinions and Media Reactions
Harsha Bhogle:
“Kohli plays the role of the stabilizer. But the question today is — does T20 cricket need stabilizers anymore?”
Simon Doull (after IPL 2023):
“You can’t be scoring 18 off 30 in a format where strike rate is king. It’s selfish batting under the guise of anchoring.”
Virat Kohli (IPL 2022 Interview):
“Sometimes, your intent is there, but execution fails. I always try to do what’s best for the team. I don’t play for numbers.”
FAQs
Why does Virat Kohli play slow in T20s?
Kohli often takes time to settle in and plays a conventional anchoring role. This can look slow, especially on tricky wickets or when early wickets fall.
What is Kohli’s slowest 50 in IPL history?
50 off 42 balls vs CSK in IPL 2025, with a strike rate of 119.04, is among his slowest half-centuries.
Is Virat Kohli’s strike rate a liability in T20s?
Not always. While his SR is lower than modern T20 hitters, Kohli compensates with consistency and finishing ability. However, against high SR teams, it can hurt momentum.
What’s Kohli’s average T20I strike rate?
As of 2025, his T20I career strike rate stands at ~138.15, which is respectable but not elite by current T20 standards.
Has Kohli addressed the criticism?
Yes. In multiple interviews, Kohli emphasized team-first intent, pitch conditions, and his evolving role as a senior player managing innings depth.
Conclusion
Virat Kohli’s T20 journey is a compelling mix of statistical excellence, situational complexity, and public perception. His slowest innings, though frustrating to some, often come under specific match conditions that demand stability over fireworks.
While the T20 landscape has shifted towards ultra-aggression, Kohli’s value as an anchor, someone who can carry an innings, protect against collapses, and chase totals methodically, remains undeniable. His slower knocks, though scrutinized, are just one aspect of a broader legacy defined by adaptability, leadership, and unmatched consistency.
In an era obsessed with strike rates and sixes, Virat Kohli reminds us that craft, timing, and strategy still matter, and that cricket, like any great story, needs different characters to make it unforgettable.