IPL 2021: ‘That’s a match-losing knock’ – Twitterati divided as Virat Kohli finds runs, but not quick runs
After a failure in the last match of IPL 2021, Virat Kohli started off the innings against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday (September 24) very much in his element.
Batting alongside young Devdutt Padikkal, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper looked in good form and rhythm during the powerplay.
Recognising the need to maximise the field restrictions at a high-scoring venue such as Sharjah, Kohli went for his strokes from the very beginning. While CSK overseas paceman Josh Hazlewood kept a leash on the great batsman, he took advantage of any error from Indian quicks Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur.
The right-hander made 33 runs off the 21 balls he faced during the powerplay, pushing the RCB total to 55 without a loss of wicket. At that point, it seems Virat Kohli will now hit the second gear in his innings and really unleash wrath on the CSK attack. What followed, however, was a bit of a struggle.
Kohli couldn’t get away against left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja during the middle overs and struck only 20 runs off the next 20 balls he faced. In a significant passage, the RCB captain went at a strike-rate of only 100.
Mixed reactions follow as Virat Kohli makes 53 off 41 in Sharjah
The post powerplay phase of Kohli’s innings completely altered the momentum of the innings and tilted it back in CSK’s favour. It also changed fans’ reaction about his half-century, triggering a debate if such a sharp dip in run-scoring after the field restrictions is match-losing from RCB’s perspective? However, some argued that Virat Kohli was only setting up a foundation for the likes of Devdutt Padikkal and AB de Villiers.
Here are some of the reactions:
53 off 41.
That's a match losing knock, especially at Sharjah.
The only reason I am not fussed about this is because Kohli is a different beast in T20Is.
— Bubba Gump Shrimp Company (@wildcardgyan) September 24, 2021
Kohli ends with 53(41).
Bad enough without context, but add Sharjah + being 33(21) at the end of the Powerplay… classic MLI that.#CSKvRCB #IPL2021
— Yash Jha (@jhayash) September 24, 2021
Kohli Storm at Sharjah today pic.twitter.com/sAvQkU7F93
— Bharat (@savageunclown45) September 23, 2021
Rohit Sharma’s 63(52) innings vs Punjab was statpadding at Chennai but Virat Kohli’s 53(41) innings was too good at Sharjah
Pls don’t be this much biased #Rohitsharma #Viratkohli #CSKvsRCB #IPL2021 #Cricket
— Lucky (@LBerojya) September 24, 2021
King Kohli’s half Century now ready for real carnage at Sharjah #CSKvsRCB #RCBvCSK pic.twitter.com/9aVguRvZaR
— 𝙋𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖 (@bhakt_prasanna) September 24, 2021
Those who are quoting ‘Sharjah’ in replies, they need to look at the RCB vs Punjab game from last season at the same venue.
Kohli was rotating strike vs someone like Maxwell in that match. https://t.co/MNhV4T40O6
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) September 24, 2021
Very poor knock from Kohli.
53 (41) at Sharjah when there was no pressure of wickets falling at the other end.
But Kohli fans will make it sound as if it was the best innings of this season
— Sumeet (@cricking333) September 24, 2021
AB de Villiers out trying to play shots because Devdutt Padikkal’s strike rate dropping by the ball and he’s the IN batter!
Kohli and Padikkal’s 100 partnership was probably one of the worst 100 partnerships in IPL history – at Sharjah their strike rates dropped by the ball
— Cricket_With_Kobus! (@JvrensburgKobus) September 24, 2021
Fifty for #RCB captain Virar Kohli – 51* from 36 – this is brilliant from King, he has been in good touch in T20 format.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 24, 2021
Fifty by King Kohli. It’s time for redemption now. And to shut the lowlife haters. #KingKohli #CSKvsRCB #PlayBold pic.twitter.com/Th4Pttdtsi
— 𝙋𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖 (@bhakt_prasanna) September 24, 2021
Kohli’s knock wasn’t poor, HTH.
— Hitesh Garg (@hitesh_garg18) September 24, 2021
Good to see Kohli back scoring runs, but that was a tad bit poor knock.
Should have up the ante after the 10th over.— dheeraj (@dheerajS_17) September 24, 2021
There was hint of turn available for Jadeja on the dry but still more true-paced track in Sharjah. However, Kohli’s struggle to get him away post the powerplay further accentuate the concerns around his game against spin over the last couple of years.
Overall, Virat Kohli has now made 256 runs from his nine innings of the IPL 2021 with a respectable average of 32.00 but his strike-rate has been only 123.07 – which is worrying from RCB’s point of view.