Royal Challengers Bangalore‘s (RCB) stuttering start to the IPL season has come under scrutiny, with former Australian skipper Steve Smith pinpointing the lack of support for Virat Kohli as a key concern.
RCB Languishing in Points Table
RCB currently occupy a disappointing eighth position in the IPL points table. Their campaign began with a defeat to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) followed by a narrow victory over Punjab Kings, courtesy of a brilliant knock from Kohli. However, two subsequent losses have dampened the spirits of RCB fans.
The spotlight has fallen on RCB’s batting woes, with Kohli the only batsman demonstrating any consistency. Kohli has amassed 203 runs in four matches, while the next-highest scorer, Dinesh Karthik batting at number seven, has managed a mere 90 runs. This stark disparity in performance has placed immense pressure on Kohli, according to Smith.
Smith’s Call to Action: Other Batsmen Must Rise
Smith emphasised the need for other RCB batsmen to step up and alleviate the pressure on Kohli. “He needs the other key batters to stand up with him, and if they do that, they can turn things around for their season,” Smith stated.
He further elaborated, “But, at the moment, they’re not, so a lot of pressure is on Virat.” Smith believes that the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, and Cameron Green, who haven’t performed as expected so far, need to start contributing significantly before it’s too late for RCB.
Defence of Kohli’s Strike Rate
Smith also addressed the criticism surrounding Kohli’s strike rate. He defended Kohli’s approach, highlighting his ability to adapt his batting style based on match conditions. “Virat is an incredible player,” Smith asserted.
He explained, “What he does really well, and probably better than most people in the world, is (that) he sums up the conditions and the situation of the game and plays accordingly.” Smith pointed out that Kohli can go big when needed but also has the ability to build partnerships when the situation demands it. “You don’t need 180 on every ground; 150-160 might be enough on some grounds,” Smith reasoned. He concluded by stating, “Virat sums up the conditions really well and the situation. I’m not fussed about the strike rate.”
With Kohli carrying the batting burden on his shoulders, RCB needs a collective effort from their other batsmen to improve their standing in the IPL. Whether RCB can heed Smith’s call and find a solution to their batting woes remains to be seen. The upcoming matches will be crucial for RCB as they strive to climb the points table and revive their IPL campaign.
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