Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) suffered a 97-run defeat in their last outing against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in IPL 2020. Former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar feels that there were few decisions taken by Virat Kohli that cost them the match versus the Punjab-based franchise.
Agarkar opined on using Shivam Dube as a death bowler, who had bagged two wickets in his initial overs, and other being Virat Kohli batting at No. 4 in the mega-run chase.
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“I understand Dube had a couple of decent overs. But, when you come into the last over when one batsman is set and batting at 100 plus, you would want your main bowler to come and bowl. Particularly, in the last over, because in T20 cricket, a couple of deliveries could make a huge difference,” said the 42-year-old who bagged 288 wickets in 191 ODIs, in his interaction at the ESPNCricinfo T20 Timeout show.
Virat Kohli shouldn’t bat lower than No. 3: Ajit Agarkar
In the match against RCB, KL Rahul stayed till the end, and smashed an unbeaten 132 in 69 deliveries that comprised 14 fours and 7 sixes. He was dropped on two occasions, both by Virag Kohli – first in the 17th over when Dale Steyn was bowling, and secondly in the 18th over when Navdeep Saini was the bowler.
Then, he was batting on 90* off 60 deliveries and went on to smash 26 runs in the 19th over, followed by individual 16 runs in the final over of the innings, posting 207 runs on board for Virat Kohli & Co to chase.
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However, the chase didn’t go as planned, as RCB lost the wickets of Devdutt Padikkal, Josh Philippe, and even Virat Kohli, who came out to bat at No. 4, within the initial three overs itself. Highlighting on that, Agarkar mentioned why the RCB skipper shouldn’t come out to bat at lower than No. 3.
“Even though they were never even in the chase because they had lost too many wickets. And that is the other thing. Virat Kohli should never bat lower than No. 3. Yes, because they have Aaron Finch so he is not opening. nut he just cannot bat lower than No. 3.
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“These are the games in which he takes extra responsibility or rises to the occasion. He likes to get in the game. I was a little surprised he did not come to bat at No 3. Not great decision making on the day,” added the Mumbaikar.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have won and lost a game so far. They are currently placed at the 6th spot with an NRR of -2.175. The Men in Red will next face four-time IPL winners Mumbai Indians on September 28 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
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