Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes it is absolutely imperative for Royal Challengers Bangalore that their talisman batter Virat Kohli gets back among the runs for them in the ongoing IPL 2022.

Kohli had scored a decent knock of 41 runs off 29 balls in the team’s opener against Punjab Kings.

However, that knock had gone in vain as RCB had lost by five wickets despite posting 205 runs on the board. Kohli was then dismissed for only 12 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders as his habit of fishing at the off-stump delivery once again led to his downfall.

Kohli hasn’t got the big runs by his lofty standard in the recent past and it will be pivotal for RCB that he scores big for the franchise. The onus of the team’s batting order is on the shoulders of Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, and Dinesh Karthik as Glenn Maxwell will be available for selection from April 9.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Virat is absolutely sensational when it comes to this ground. Can we get to see a lot of runs from his bat today? For RCB, it is absolutely imperative that he gets back among the runs.”

The renowned commentator added that Kohli has had a mixed IPL thus far and he would look to be at his best against RR.

“Kohli has had a very mixed kind of IPL so far. Again, let’s not judge. He played very well in the first match. In the second match also, he was looking impressive until he got out to good ball.”

On the other hand, Anuj Rawat had a decent opening game against Punjab Kings but could not get going against KKR. Chopra added that the youngster must deliver the goods before the franchise loses faith in him.

“RCB’s Anuj Rawat is a good player. But he hasn’t been able to transform potential into performance yet. Before RCB loses patience, Rawat must fire.”

RCB will face RR on Tuesday at the Wankhede Stadium.