IPL 2025: Virat Kohli given full credit for RCB's batting revolution

Published - 19 Dec 2024, 05:30 PM | Updated - 19 Dec 2024, 11:35 PM

Virat Kohli with RCB
Virat Kohli with RCB (Credits: Getty)

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) enjoyed a remarkable turnaround in the second half of the IPL 2024, and much of the credit goes to Virat Kohli's leadership and batting heroics.

Recently, the Royal Challengers Bangalore director of cricket, Mo Babat, highlighted Kohli’s pivotal role in reviving the team’s fortunes, as they climbed from the bottom of the table to secure a playoff spot.

Virat Kohli’s stellar form played a pivotal role in the RCB’s resurgence, not only leading the batting charge but also clinching the Orange Cap for the second time in his career.

Virat Kohli's aggressive approach propelled RCB's stunning IPL 2024 comeback

The Royal Challengers Bangalore had to change their approach midway through the IPL 2024 season to stay competitive. Other IPL franchises like Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had already embraced an aggressive batting style, producing massive totals consistently.

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Initially, RCB struggled to match this pace, crossing the 200-run mark only once in a memorable high-scoring clash against SRH. However, the second half of the season saw a dramatic transformation, as the Bengaluru-based franchise adopted a more aggressive mindset and crossed the 200-run milestone four times, building momentum for their IPL 2024 playoff push.

Virat Kohli led by example, taking on bowlers right from the start and setting the stage for the RCB’s resurgence. Notably, the dashing right-hander finished the last season with 741 runs in 15 matches, including 38 sixes, at a strike rate of 154.69. And Mo Babat feels the template will be the same next year.

Right, I'm going to lead the way here: Virat Kohli to RCB

Mo Babat was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo: “Virat scored runs throughout the competition, even in that initial period when we weren't getting results. But even he, midway through, said, “Right, I'm going to lead the way here; we can all be more aggressive.”

"It was brilliant to see him talk that through with the rest of the batting group and back his words up with action. I've got no doubt that he'll want to maintain that moving forward.”

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Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru adopted a bold strategy at the IPL 2025 mega auction. In a surprising move, RCB chose not to retain key players like Mohammed Siraj, Glenn Maxwell, and Will Jacks.

Instead, the franchise strengthened its batting firepower by bringing in dynamic players such as Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Jitesh Sharma at the mega auction.

Virat will be no different from anybody else: Mo Babat

With core players like Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar still anchoring the team, RCB aims to maintain an aggressive approach throughout the full 20 overs as they aim to end their IPL title drought next season.

Notably, they have now players like Jacob Bethell, Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and the team is eager for a fresh start in the IPL 2025.

Babat signed off by saying, “I certainly won't be, and Andy certainly won't be, sending the team out with somebody having the intent to drop anchor. That isn't what's required. We want to make the most of every delivery. Players can be trusted to assess the situation, and the conditions out there, and Virat will be no different from anybody else.”

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