Aakash Chopra, the former Indian cricketer pointed out the performances of some of the unsung heroes of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The likes of RCB batters Rajat Patidar, Mahipal Lomror, Shahbaz Ahmed, and the experienced Dinesh Karthik have raised their hands in tough situations for RCB.
Virat Kohli did win the Man of the Match in the previous game against Gujarat. But the former RCB skipper struggled throughout the season in other games. However, Aakash Chopra feels that didn’t affect the team’s performance as others stepped up and delivered under pressure.
Aakash Chopra Reckons Other Royal Challengers Bangalore Batters Have Stepped Up As Virat Kohli Lacked Form
Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra explained why RCB made it this far despite their big stars not being consistent.
He said: “People say that the performance of a certain player makes their team better or worse. Kohli scored just two half-centuries that too against the same team Gujarat Titans. But why have they done well? It’s because the year-old feels others have stepped up and that’s what makes them a good team. It’s like five fingers together forming a fist.”
RCB will take on Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator at the Eden Gardens later on Wednesday, with the winner securing a matchup with Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 for a place in the IPL 2022 final. RCB had finished fourth in the points table and made the playoffs. RCB finished fourth in the league stage with eight wins in 14 matches.
Dinesh Karthik has set IPL 2022 on fire. He is RCB’s 2nd highest scorer in IPL 2022 with 285 runs in 13 games averaging an impressive 57 and has a stunning phenomenal strike rate of 192.56. Shahbaz Ahmed has scored 207 runs averaging 25.88 so far in IPL 2022 playing 13 games. The duo has bailed the team out of trouble many times in the ongoing season.
Rajat Patidar has scored 163 runs in 5 IPL 2022 games averaging 32.6 with the bat. Mahipal Lomror has scored 64 runs in 3 IPL 2022 innings (4 games) averaging 21.33. They stepped up when Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli didn’t fire in IPL 2022.
Aakash Chopra Predicts Both Virat Kohli And KL Rahul Will Be Among The Runs
While previewing games on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra often brings out his predictions. After watching the Qualifier 1 between Gujarat and Rajasthan where the ball traveled all around the park in the same venue- Eden Gardens, the 44-year-old feels both Virat Kohli and KL Rahul will be among the runs.
He also made some other predictions and they are as follows: “I have seen the pitch and I think it is good for batting. So I am backing Kohli and Rahul to score more than 80 runs.
“Maxwell and Hooda will also join them and will score more than 75 runs. I think Maxwell will pick up a wicket too as the pitch is a bit slow and the ball is gripping. It can be said that the one who wins the toss wins the game, but without looking at all that I back RCB to win the game.”
Eden Gardens is the same venue where Virat Kohli scored his last international hundred against Bangladesh in the pink-ball Test. Aakash Chopra is hopeful that having good memories of that knock will help Virat Kohli get another big score.
He added: “Virat Kohli got some runs in the last game and also scored his last international century against Bangladesh in 2019 pink ball Test on the same ground. So I feel runs will come from his bat again this time.”
RCB look a completely different side when their top three, especially Virat Kohli, are fit and firing. Virat Kohli has had a very poor season this time around in IPL 2022. He has only scored 309 runs in 14 matches averaging 23.77 at a strike rate of under 120, besides being dismissed on golden duck thrice this season. He also managed 2 fifties-both against Gujarat with a best of 73 in RCB’s last league match.
He became the first batter to breach the 7,000 run-mark in the history of the IPL. The former RCB skipper has over 6,600 runs for his franchise in the IPL, with the rest coming in the now-defunct Champions League.