Virat Kohli’s disastrous display in IPL 2022 continues as the Royal Challengers Bangalore man was clean bowled by an off-spinner Moeen Ali in yesterday’s game against Chennai Super Kings. West Indies cricketer turned commentator Ian Bishop has raised concerns over Kohli’s types of dismissals.
One of the greatest batters the sport has seen, Virat has been a shadow of his former self for over two years. His fortunes haven’t changed in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League either as he continues to struggle for runs. The player has managed only 216 runs this season at an average of just 21.6, with only one fifty-plus score. He is striking at 111.91, which is the third lowest in the competition for anyone scoring more than 150 runs.
The former Indian and RCB captain was dismissed off an Ali ripper on Wednesday night. A loopy off-break burst through the gates as Virat attempted a big drive, bringing back the memories of his dismissal against the same bowler in the Chennai Test last year.
Kohli’s 33-ball 30 was a negative impact knock. He played 16 dot balls in this innings and was the prime culprit of Glenn Maxwell’s run-out. Bangalore eventually posted 173 on the back of impressive outings from uncapped duo Rajat Patidar and Mahipal Lomror along with Dinesh Karthik’s crucial late blitz.
Speaking on T20 Time:Out, ESPNcricinfo’s analysis show, Bishop said Kohli didn’t show much intent in the innings and wasn’t going at run-a-ball for the most part:
“For a while, for 10 or 15 runs, he wasn’t even going at a run-a-ball, or he was just going at a run-a-ball. He didn’t get ahead, and there wasn’t much intent. He hit one [six] over extra-cover off the seamer, and that was when he just went ahead to a run-a-ball and then he came back.”
The West Indian great pointed out that Kohli has a pattern of starting fast in the powerplay and then slowing down later as the field restrictions are lifted.
“This is something we’ve been seeing with Virat, not just this season. Even last season, I remember, and even sometimes internationally, he’ll fly out – he didn’t fly out tonight – and then he’ll slow down again. So, I’m concerned.”
Bishop also reminded fans of Kohli’s dismissal against Roston Chase – another off-spinner – in February. He expressed concern as someone who likes Kohli that the number of different types of dismissals could be a big issue.
“Roston Chase got him out in the West Indies series, we saw him getting out to the offspinner in Test matches. So, I’m concerned about…and I’m a Kohli fan.
I tune in to watch cricket when Kohli’s at his best, so it isn’t criticism but an observation that I am concerned at a number of types of bowlers are getting him out and he’s not getting ahead of the rate,”
he said.
Royal Challengers had one of their better starts in the powerplay this season against CSK, posting 57 without loss at the end of sixth over. The MCA Stadium in Pune offered plenty of assistance for spinners as Moeen Ali wasn’t the only off-spinner to do well. His opposite number from RCB, Maxwell claimed two for 22 in his four overs with two crucial wickets of Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu.
Also read 👉 Bangalore bounce back to winning ways with 13-run victory against Chennai Super Kings
RCB eventually won the match by 13 runs thanks to some excellent death overs bowling by Harshal Patel. This was a crucial victory for the franchise as they broke the three-match losing streak and put themselves into top four, albeit having played two more matches than Sunrisers Hyderabad.
