Royal Challengers Bangalore became the fourth team to progress through to the playoffs of IPL 2020. As they prepare for the Eliminator, former cricketer Virender Sehwag feels that skipper Virat Kohli needs to accelerate in his inning as his low strike rate puts the team under pressure.
Incidentally, Kohli is the fifth-highest run-scorer in the 13th edition of IPL. So far, he has amassed 460 runs from 14 matches. However, his strike of 122 has been a major concern. Against Delhi Capitals, Virat Kohli managed 29 from 24 balls at a strike rate of 120. Eventually, RCB could post a par score of 152, which was comfortably chased down by Delhi.
Virat Kohli needs to shift gear quickly – Virender Sehwag
Although Royal Challengers Bangalore managed to seal a playoff berth, Kohli’s poor strike-rate, especially in the middle-overs, would be a topic of discussion leading to the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag also spoke on the same lines saying that Virat Kohli needs to switch his gears a lot earlier than he has this season.
“Virat Kohli needs to switch gears a lot quicker. He takes around 20-25 balls to change gears and then when he gets out, the team gets into trouble,” Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz Live.
Also Read: Cricket Fraternity Joins Hand In Wishing Virat Kohli On His 32nd Birthday
Virender Sehwag also took reference from the game against Delhi Capitals. He said that if Virat Kohli would hadn’t got out at that stage, the RCB skipper might have scored a 40-ball 70 or 80. However, it didn’t happen which put Royal Challengers Bangalore into the hole.
“This is what happened against Delhi Capitals. If he hadn’t got out, he could have scored 40-ball 70 or 80, which would have led to RCB putting on a respectable total. When he gets out early, his strike rate is not that great. It is just around, 110-120, and then the team seems to be in trouble,” Sehwag added.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator on November 6 (Friday) in Abu Dhabi.
Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar Opens Up on Rohit Sharma’s Injury Saga
