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RCB went for a paltry 92 in Kohli’s 200th IPL game and KKR chased the target in just 10 overs
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli on Monday regretted the collapse of his team’s stick in a nine-wicket beating by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL here and called it a wake-up call for the team.
Choosing to beat, RCB were all out for a paltry 92 in Kohli’s 200th IPL game and KKR chased the target in just 10 overs reaching 94/1 with Shubhman Gill (48) and debutant Venkatesh Iyer (41 steps) adding 82 short for the opening wicket.
“We were 42 odd-to-one and then we lost about five wickets in 20 points, which is a very difficult situation to overcome. A little collapse for us, a little wake-up call and we might as well have it at the start of the second leg so we know exactly what we need to work on, â€Kohli said after the game.
“It was important to have a good partnership on this surface. You can’t afford to lose four or five wickets in 20 races. We didn’t expect there to be so much dew so soon, we couldn’t have predicted that. When asked if the result was due to rust, Kohli said: “You can argue that we were rusted, but as professional cricketers you have to come forward and adapt to the formats, that ‘ is the dynamics of world cricket today.
“We’ve never had a problem doing this, but sometimes it can take you a game to get into the tournament. You have to stay with 8-ball, especially in this format. If not, then the other team will be on you. On the brilliant performance of KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy (3/13), Kohli said: “Pretty good, that’s exactly what I was saying in the dug-out, he’s going to be a key factor when he plays for the India. We need to see performances like these from all young people so that Indian cricket bench strength remains strong.
“And, he is someone who is going to play for India in the near future and that is a good sign,” said the Indian captain.
Kohli, who will be leaving the RCB captaincy after this edition, said there was no question of pressing the panic button yet.
“We have five wins in eight games, we expect loss here and there in this tournament. It’s an integral part of things. You have to take it in your stride as you take your wins in your stride as well.
“We just have to be professional and stick to our strengths and make sure we are executing the plans we have on the ground correctly. We have absolute confidence in this team that we will be able to improve from the next match and achieve good performances. KKR skipper Eoin Morgan said it was a rare top performance alongside him.
“The talent that we have in our team doesn’t count for nothing, you still have to come out and show how strong you are and we did it today.
“I don’t think the wicket has changed much, RCB has started well, but taking a wicket at the back of the power play has changed things for us. Collectively, we have taken valuable counters. Maxwell, AB, Virat – we managed to outdo them all, this is also very rare. “As a band, with the expressive nature that guys play with, playing under Me or Baz, should be an absolute treat. We are not going to hit people for playing their shots. Morgan said his team have a long way to go and need a lot of things to do to be okay.
“Today is the right start, I need that confidence. We didn’t show up for most of the tournament, but today was a good start. Player of the Match Chakravarthy said it was flat pitch with little spin on offer so he needed to keep it on the stumps.
“I would like to thank the bowlers who played on the power play for the discipline. There was not much on the ground. On the hat trick ball, which he had wanted to see again but which was shot down by Morgan, Chakravarthy said: “I thought it was out but I just saw the replay that there was an inside edge.
“I really felt better and had a feeling of acceptance from the people around me. I started very late in my career. Now, being chosen for India gives me a feeling of acceptance.
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