IPL 2019: Captain Virat Kohli is Still a Novice, Has Loads to Learn – Gautam Gambhir
Apr 7, 2019 at 3:37 PM
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli has once again come under the scanner after his side lost straight consecutive matches so far in this edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Speaking on the same line, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has criticised Virat Kohli’s captaincy, acknowledging that while Kohli is a champion batsman he is a novice as a captain and has lots to learn.
Although Kohli boasts a strong CV as an India skipper, he has failed to prove his worth for his franchise. Many say the presence of MS Dhoni in the Indian team has done Virat Kohli a world a good. The former India skipper often comes up with suggestions and adjust fielders which have benefitted Kohli. Gautam Gambhir pointed out that Kohli should take responsibility for the losses rather than blaming bowlers.
“While Virat Kohli the batsman is an absolute master, Virat Kohli the captain is an apprentice. He has loads to learn. Rather than blaming the bowlers, he should take the blame on himself,” he wrote in his column in TOI.
Bangalore messed during auctions
The former Kolkata Knight Riders skipper who has two IPL titles to his name said that RCB’s problem began right from the auctions last year in Jaipur. Gautam Gambhir criticised the franchise for picking Marcus Stoinis and Nathan Coulter-Nile despite knowing that they will not be available from the start.
The former cricketer also added that he would have gone with an outright fast bowler considering the flat strip at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“I would start with last year’s auction where they messed up. Why did they go for Marcus Stoinis and Nathan Coulter-Nile if they knew these players were not available from the start?
“At a small venue like the Chinnaswamy, where the wicket is flat, I would have gone with an out-and-out fast bowler,” he concluded.
Royal Challengers Bangalore still have nine games to turn things around as they need to revive their confidence ahead of the next game.