Saturday, April 6, 2019

Kohli's Blunderbus


Virat Kohli blamed his bowlers for failing to defend 75 in last 4 overs. It was 66 of 24 in reality. He is well within his rights to be upset and criticise his bowlers. But it was Virat Kohli who was the worst culprit in last night's debacle against KKR. Why ? Let's see.


Image result for virat kohli rcb vs kkrKKR bowling:

Fast bowlers: 6 overs - 89 runs - 0 wickets - 14.83 Runs per over
Spin bowlers: 14 overs - 115 runs - 3 wickets - 8.21 Runs per over

RCB bowling

Pacer Saini bowled pretty well for 4-0-34-2. He picked up 2 wickets including that of DK of his last ball of 17th over. But what did others do ?

Fast bowlers: 8 overs - 125 runs - 0 wickets - 15.83 runs per over.
Spin bowlers: 7.1 overs - 45 runs - 3 wickets - 6.38 runs per over.

RCB spinners had put in a magnificent show and picked up 3 wickets too. Yet, they bowled only 7.1 overs of spin. Negi bowling last over was because Siraj and Southee had screwed up big time. Else, the last over would have been bowled by a pacer too. Kohli simply forgot Moeen Ali was alive and kicking. Kohli just doesn't fit as a captain when Dhoni isn't there on field in the shorter formats of Cricket.


Bluntly told, it was Kohli's stupid, idiotic captaincy that robbed RCB of a chance to shut the match out of reach of KKR. Just to understand the seriousness of Kohli's stupidity, DK bowled 14 overs of spin and used even a part timer Nitish Rana, who picked up a wicket. When Kohli and ABDV looked as if they would run away with the match, DK didn't bring his pacers but Kuldeep and Naraine. Both of them got rid of the settled pair and restricted what could have been 220 plus into 205.

Without robbing Russel of any of his credit for that sensational innings, if he were to play a team captained by DK or Rohit, he would have been facing a target of 100 runs from 4 overs situation with Chahal having at least 1 over out of the last 4. Essentially, Kohli is a very good test captain. But in limited overs Cricket, he's a miserable and pathetic captain who can lose with the best team at his disposal.

Tail-piece: Washington Sundar can be a Champion T20 and ODI All rounder if backed by Captain, like Rohit did during Nidahas trophy. Or he can just wither off under Kohli, simply because Kohli isn't even half decent a captain in T20 Cricket.

Govind Raj Shenoy for DieHard Cricket Fans

No comments :

Post a Comment