Varun Aaron Highlights Virat Kohli’s Vital Role in RCB’s Failed Run Chase

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fell short in their daunting pursuit of 232 runs against the high-flying Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Despite a fiery start from former skipper Virat Kohli, RCB couldn’t maintain momentum and eventually crumbled under scoreboard pressure, handing SRH a crucial win in the playoff race.

Kohli Leads the Charge But Falls Short

Kohli, opening the chase with trademark aggression, struck 43 off just 25 balls, peppering the boundary rope with seven fours and a towering six. His early partnership with Phil Salt gave RCB the perfect platform, but once the duo departed, RCB’s innings unraveled.

Former India pacer and JioStar cricket expert Varun Aaron weighed in on the match, praising Kohli’s approach and reiterating his stature as one of the greatest chasers in modern cricket.

“As always, he started the chase strongly — he just loves chasing,” Aaron said.
“It also shows how crucial he is to RCB’s success in a chase. This was the first time they lost a chase where he didn’t score a fifty.”

Aaron emphasized Kohli’s classical style — shunning fancy strokes in favor of timing and placement — as a stabilizing factor in RCB’s batting order.

“He’s very stable, doesn’t play too many fancy shots — just classic, quality batting,” Aaron added.

Salt’s Dismissal Turns the Tide

The turning point of the match came when Phil Salt, after a bright start, was undone by a smart short-ball ploy from SRH skipper Pat Cummins. His dismissal derailed RCB’s chase and left the middle order exposed.

“Salt was looking good, but his dismissal to Cummins came at the wrong time. He should’ve held back and rebuilt. After that, RCB never really regained control,” Aaron observed.

Rajat Patidar’s continued struggles also drew scrutiny, as he once again failed to accelerate at a crucial juncture. His strike rate of around 120 has been a recurring issue for the team this season.

“Rajat Patidar, again, had a strike rate around 120. His form is a concern heading into the playoffs,” Aaron pointed out.

A Wake-Up Call Before the Playoffs?

Despite the setback, Aaron suggested that the loss might serve as a much-needed wake-up call for the Bengaluru franchise as they head into the business end of the tournament.

“This might be a blessing in disguise — a timely jolt before the playoffs to get their combinations right,” he concluded.

With the playoff race heating up, RCB will need a more cohesive effort from both the top and middle order. Kohli’s form remains their biggest strength, but unless the support cast steps up, the title dream might remain out of reach once again.

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