Keep backing him, he is a great player, says Harsha Bhogle on Virat Kohli’s lean patch in IPL 2022: Commentator Harsha Bhogle is optimistic about Virat Kohli’s batting form in the ongoing edition of the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Bhogle, who has watched Virat Kohli from close quarters, said Virat is a great player as he precisely understands the game, but his inability to score runs in powerplay is indeed a concern.
For Virat Kohli, the batter, nothing has gone his way in the IPL 2022. In RCB’s opening match against Punjab Kings, Kohli slammed 29-ball 41 and it seemed that the vintage Kohli is back without any captaincy burden, however, who knew it was just going to go down from there for the legendary batter.
In the Tata IPL 2022, Kohli has already registered two golden ducks and is barely managing to middle the ball. During his short stay at the crease in RCB’s last game against Rajasthan Royals, Virat Kohli got everything in his bat, including thin edges, but failed to middle the ball.
Bhogle went on to say that Virat’s inability to score runs in the powerplay is a sign of worry for the cricketer.
“Could this early moment of luck is what Kohli needed? But, in a short innings, Kohli got inner edges that missed the stumps, so, definitely it is a worry. He is just not able to get away in the Powerplay. I think Faf (du Plessis) was honest about it upfront when he said ‘all players go through this but the greats find a way back’ and we thought rather the best way Kohli just sitting there and waiting for his turn, we thought what was best for him was to come up and open the batting,” Bhogle told Cricbuzz.
ALSO READ: Gary Kirsten likely to step down from Gujarat Titans head coach role after IPL 2022
“Virat Kohli became great because he understands the game and he is a certain kind of a player. I have absolutely no idea (referring to the bad phase in his career) other than just tell Virat Kohli to relax and remind him he is a great player and just keep backing him, make him feel good. Keep backing him and hope that at some point the fine tuning happens,” he added.
Virat has just managed to score 128 runs in nine outings for RCB in the IPL 2022 at a poor strike rate of 119.62. For RCB to succeed and win a trophy, Virat Kohli’s form is necessary. The support Virat provides during his purple patch is unmatchable. The legendary cricketer has the ability to win matches singlehandedly for his team and RCB desperately needs that.
Kohli’s poor batting form is a serious concern, not just for the RCB, but also for team India, which depends heavily on the services of the 33-year old batter. The ICC T20 World Cup 2022 is lined ahead and India can’t afford Virat Kohli to misfire consecutively. For India’s aspiration to lift the T20 World Cup title for the second time, Virat Kohli’s batting form is very crucial.
ALSO READ: Most Valuable IPL Team of 2022 – Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings: Forbes