Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes Virat Kohli’s low strike rate could be slightly concerning for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli got off to a start against defending champions Chennai Super Kings at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Wednesday but could not change gears.
The talisman scored 30 runs from 33 balls as he failed to time the ball to perfection. Kohli and RCB captain Faf du Plessis added 62 runs, out of which the latter scored 38 runs in the opening stand. While Faf scored his runs at a strike rate of 170, Kohli couldn’t get going. Kohli scored at less than run-a-ball and it did put pressure on the rest of the RCB batters.
In fact, Kohli had scored 58 runs off 53 balls against Gujarat Titans and had failed to hit the topmost gear in that game too. It is well known that Kohli takes his time in the initial phase of the innings but as he isn’t in the best of forms, he hasn’t been able to score his runs at a high strike rate.
However, Kohli has spent some time at the crease in the last two matches, which would have given him a lot of confidence. Kohli was dismissed by Moeen Ali as the off-spinner found the gulf between his bat and pad to hit the stumps.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “They (RCB) started well in the batting. Faf du Plessis runs fast, Virat Kohli is still running slowly and that is a slight concern. I am very happy as an Indian cricket fan, it comforts my heart if Kohli scores runs, but if you are an RCB fan, you will say Kohli will have to run a little faster.”
Former KKR opener feels Kohli is not making the most of the field restrictions in the powerplay overs.
“58 runs off 53 balls in the last match and here 30 runs off 33 balls. If you want to reach an above-par score, then you would expect your opener to actually maximize the powerplay overs.”
On the other hand, the renowned commentator feels Mahipal Lomror saved Bangalore. The left-hander was able to hit the ground running and scored a fine knock of 42 runs off just 27 balls with the help of three fours and two sixes.
“Faf started beautifully but then wickets fell in a cluster. Moeen Ali comes and Kohli and Faf were dismissed. That was absolutely sensational. And there came Mahipal Lomror, he saved Bangalore. The way he batted, he played well in the last match as well, 42 runs actually came in double-quick time.”
Furthermore, Rajat Patidar scored 15-ball 21 whereas Dinesh Karthik added the finishing touches with 17-ball 26 for RCB to help them post 173 runs on the board.
“Where everyone else was struggling, Faf did run at 172 but Kohli had a strike rate of 90, there Mahipal Lomror played very well. Lomror was not alone, Rajat Patidar was also there with him and after that, Dinesh Karthik also came and shone and overall you reached 173, which is a good score.”
RCB will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.
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