RCB’s Victorious Yet Concerning Display
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched a crucial victory, propelled by Rajat Patidar’s explosive innings of 50 runs from just 20 deliveries. Despite this triumph, a glaring issue looms large for the franchise: Virat Kohli’s performance post-powerplay.
Struggle in the Middle Overs
Against Hyderabad, Kohli showcased a strong start, accumulating 32 runs from 18 balls within the powerplay. However, his scoring rate plummeted drastically after the sixth over.
Facing challenges against bowlers like Jaydev Unadkat, Kohli managed a mere 19 runs off 25 balls without striking a single boundary. Hindered by the change in pace, Kohli struggled to find his rhythm, culminating in a subdued half-century celebration.
Intensifying Criticism and T20 World Cup Implications
As the IPL progresses, criticism of Kohli’s strike-rate escalates, particularly amidst discussions regarding the T20 World Cup 2024 selection. Despite his stature in the game, Kohli’s approach in T20 cricket fails to convince everyone, often slowing down during the middle overs and disrupting the team’s run-scoring momentum.
With teams consistently surpassing the 200-run mark in this IPL season, the role of an anchor in T20 cricket diminishes. Even Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Daniel Vettori acknowledged this challenge in the post-match press conference.
Urgent Need for Improvement
The Sunrisers Hyderabad game underscores the pressing need for Kohli to enhance his performance, especially with the T20 World Cup looming just a month away. As the franchise and fans scrutinize his contributions, Kohli must address his middle-over struggles swiftly to bolster RCB’s campaign and stake his claim for the T20 World Cup squad.
