Royal Challengers Bengaluru star Virat Kohli has accumulated 179 runs this season with an average close to 60 and a strike rate around 163, but his recent outing has drawn criticism. Former Indian player Aakash Chopra, who represented Kolkata in the IPL before retiring, described Kohli’s effort against Mumbai Indians as excessively sluggish. In a game where Bengaluru posted a massive 240 runs, Kohli scored 50 off 38 deliveries before getting out.
Although Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar praised Kohli and opener Phil Salt for their solid foundation against Mumbai, Chopra remained unimpressed.
‘Kohli’s scoring was quite sluggish. In the broader match context, the victory might overshadow it, but from a pure cricket perspective, it was a slow innings. Such play doesn’t suit this format or Kohli’s style,’ Chopra stated in a video on his YouTube channel.
‘He made efforts, but it didn’t click. He seemed unfocused, even using two reviews on wide deliveries incorrectly. That indicated his state of mind. He also appeared to be dealing with an injury.’
Chopra highlighted Salt’s aggressive approach at the top, with 78 runs from 36 balls, as the ideal for modern T20 cricket, particularly in the IPL.
‘Phil Salt delivered an impressive onslaught. I had wondered about including Jacob Bethell, but Salt proved his worth. His batting was outstanding, providing the essential quick start. Their opening stand exceeded 100 runs. Once Salt gets going, he’s relentless,’ Chopra added.
Chopra was also impressed by captain Rajat Patidar’s display against Mumbai, where he smashed 53 runs off 20 balls. He believes this form justifies Patidar’s potential return to the Indian national side.
‘Rajat Patidar is batting exceptionally. Last year, he hit 14 sixes overall, helping secure wins. This season, he’s already at 18 sixes. Remarkably, he’s struck 10 sixes in his first 10 balls across four innings. That kind of rapid scoring is incredible,’ he said.
‘Who begins innings like that? Patidar does. He used to target spinners, but now he dominates fast bowlers too. They tried spin against him today, which was a mistake. He cleared the ropes three times off Mayank Markande. Patidar is leading effectively and performing strongly with the bat. He’ll likely rejoin the Indian team soon,’ Chopra noted.
