Aakash Chopra, former Indian and KKR opener was of the opinion that RCB skipper Virat Kohli not having attained his peak form has contributed to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) following a slightly conservative approach in IPL 2020.
He made this observation while reviewing the Virat Kohli-led side’s defeat against the Delhi Capitals in a video shared on his YouTube channel.
Aakash Chopra (Image Credit: Facebook)
Aakash Chopra Appreciates His Favorite Uncapped Indian Batsman Devdutt Padikkal
Aakash Chopra started by appreciating opener Devdutt Padikkal for his excellent knock of 50 against Delhi and even named the RCB opener as the best uncapped Indian player in IPL 2020. He has amassed 472 runs in 14 matches averaging 33.71 with 5 fifties.
“RCB is inserted to bat and Joshua Philippe gets out. Padikkal played well, he has been absolutely outstanding, my favourite uncapped Indian player in this edition of the tournament.”
The reputed commentator said that the RCB innings slowed down a bit after the powerplay overs, with Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli who scored 29 off 24 balls concentrating on just rotating the strike.
“But when the powerplay got over, it seemed the power itself had got over. In the next 5-6 overs, they were scoring only in singles with spin bowlers bowling from both ends.”
Aakash Chopra observed that RCB fell behind in the run rate in the middle overs by not accelerating and approached slowly even though they had wickets in hand. He said Virat Kohli’s mixed returns in IPL 2020 as one of the reasons for their conservative approach.
“That was one phase which pushed RCB way behind as the pitch was good and the wickets had also not fallen. A little conservative approach I feel because of two reasons, one being that Kohli’s season has been a mixed bag.”
Devdutt Padikkal
The former KKR player added that the RCB skipper has managed to score runs even though he isn’t at his best. He has scored 460 runs averaging 46 in 14 matches with 3 fifties.
“He has scored more than 400 runs so you feel he has played well, but he has not played that well, it shows his genius because when you don’t bat well, you don’t score runs.”
He highlighted that Virat Kohli has not dominated the opposition in the manner that he is reputed for. He disappointed in the initial matches scoring only 18 runs in 3 matches after which he hit 3 fifties but his strike rate of 122 isn’t good enough for his calibre.
“He did not start well in the first few matches, then scored runs in a few matches but after that he has not bossed the innings but has still shown the ability to score runs.”
Aakash Chopra pointed out that RCB’s conservative approach allowed the Delhi Capitals to restrict them to a below-par score of 152/7, which the Shreyas Iyer-led side chased down comfortably and won by 6 wickets with half-centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane.
“Because of that, Delhi Capitals were tightening the noose and in the end they restricted RCB to around 150.”
Aakash Chopra wants both Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers to bat in an aggressive fashion for RCB for which they are known for.
Aakash Chopra: Washington Sundar Should Open
Aakash Chopra opined that RCB should send all-rounder Washington Sundar to open the batting with Devdutt Padikkal and include Moeen Ali in their playing XI as RCB are winless in their last 4 matches.
“It is never a good thing that RCB have not won a match in 2-2.5 weeks. So I feel they should open with Washington Sundar along with Devdutt Padikkal and play Moeen Ali in the middle order.”
The 43-year-old reasoned that the presence of the England all-rounder in the middle order will allow their batsmen to play more freely.
“Then they can play with a more fearless approach because if they don’t play in that fashion, I feel it will be difficult for them.”
Washington Sundar Credit: BCCI
Aakash Chopra signed off by pointing out that RCB are still heavily reliant on mainstays skipper Virat Kohli and former South African batsman AB de Villiers and that an additional batsman in the batting lineup will allow them to bat more aggressively.
“In this team, still everything revolves around two players. So till the time Kohli and AB score runs, the team will do well but when they get out the team will not do well, whatever the others do.”
The Royal Challengers will face either SunRisers Hyderabad if the latter win or the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2020 eliminator. They would have to win three consecutive matches if they want to bag their maiden IPL title.
