There is no scenario in which we believe that the players lack motivation, that they do not strive for significant achievements, that they are indifferent to winning, or that they exhibit arrogance,” stated Key. “This is entirely inaccurate. Often, when they find themselves in challenging situations, it is due to their intense focus, which can lead to errors.”

Key also addressed claims regarding the England players being sidetracked during international tours and competitions, noting a recurring sentiment that the players prefer spending time on the golf course rather than engaging in training.

“Much is made of their approach and how they allocate their time outside of matches, which I find acceptable,” Key remarked. “During my observation of the team in Pakistan, they trained diligently. They were fully committed; the lack of practice was not the reason for our underperformance.”

England's upcoming international commitment is a solitary Test match against Zimbabwe in May, after which they will shift their focus to the home series against the West Indies, followed by the pivotal home Test series against India that will initiate the next World Test Championship cycle.

AB de Villiers backs Virat Kohli to do well in IPL 2025

RCB will commence their campaign against the reigning champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), on March 22 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, under the leadership of new captain Rajat Patidar. The team aims to secure their inaugural IPL title, a significant achievement for Virat, who has been associated with the franchise since its inception in 2008.

In an exclusive interview on JioHotstar, AB addressed the criticism directed at Virat Kohli regarding his strike rate during the early phases of the tournament, deeming it "absurd."

"The focus on Virat's strike rate was utterly absurd. He performed precisely as his team required. It all depends on the context. When he has a reliable partner at the other end, he tends to play with greater freedom and creativity. Conversely, when that support is lacking, he adheres to his natural style—stabilizing the innings when necessary," AB stated on JioHotstar.

Throughout the first six matches of the season, Virat amassed 319 runs at an average of 79.75, including one century and two fifties. However, his strike rate of approximately 141 drew significant criticism from fans and analysts who believed that his more conservative approach, particularly against spin bowlers, hindered RCB's performance.

In response, Virat made notable advancements in his play against spin, effectively employing the slog sweep and increasing his six-hitting frequency. Over the subsequent nine matches, he accumulated 422 runs at an average of 52.75, with three half-centuries, while his strike rate surged to around 166, indicating a substantial enhancement. He concluded the season with 38 sixes, matching his best performance from the 2016 season, during which he scored 952 runs, including four centuries and seven fifties. His aggressive style was instrumental in RCB's turnaround after a dismal start, where they secured only one victory in their first eight matches, subsequently winning six consecutive games to reach the playoffs, where they were eliminated by Rajasthan Royals (RR).

He ultimately claimed the Orange Cap for the most runs last season, totaling 741 runs in 15 matches, with an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69, alongside one century and five fifties.

Read Also: England Cricketers Warned Over Trash Talk by ECB Director

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