Royal Challengers Bangalore lost four straight games on the trot but somehow managed to make it to the playoffs and will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator on Friday. The recent series of losses has exposed a serious flaw in RCB’s middle order, especially with Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers struggling to score runs at an explosive rate of hitting.
While Kohli has scored 460 runs in 14 games with an average of 46, his hitting rate of 122 has actually become a cause for concern. With the batter taking his time in the middle to get going, RCB has struggled in recent games between the 7-15 overs, and has affected them for a good total to chase. (Total IPL coverage 2020)
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Speaking in a video on Cricbuzz, former India starter Virender Sehwag opined that Kohli should shift gears faster than he is right now.
“Virat Kohli needs to change gears much faster. It takes about 20-25 balls to change gears and then when it comes out, the team gets into trouble, ”Sehwag explained.
“This is what happened against Delhi Capitals. If it hadn’t come out, he could have scored 40 balls 70 or 80, which would have led RCB to score a respectable total. When he comes out early his hit rate is not that great It’s close to 110-120, and then the team seems to be in trouble, ”he added.
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Kohli is a smart cricketer and has apparently caught what has not worked for his team. After the 6 wicket loss to DC, the RCB patron, at the post-game presentation ceremony, said that the batsman must be braver in the middle.
“We can be braver with the bat in our pockets. With the ball we were decent, we could probably have a strong Powerplay, which is our strong point. If we implement those things, we will be at the right end of the result, ”Kohli had said.
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