IPL 2020: Virat Kohli Needs To Switch Gears A Lot Quicker - Virender Sehwag Laments On Strike Rate Of The RCB Skipper

Former India opener, Virender Sehwag has opined that the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain, Virat Kohli should accelerate early in his inning as his low strike rate puts the team under pressure.

By the end of the league stage, Virat Kohli is the fifth-highest run-scorer in the IPL 2020. The right-hander has accumulated 460 runs from 14 matches. However, his strike of 122 has been a major concern.

Against Delhi Capitals (DC), Kohli scored 29 from 24 balls at a strike rate of 120. Eventually, RCB could post a par score of 152, which was comfortably chased down by DC. RCB managed to sneak into the playoffs, on a superior net run rate than Kolkata. However, the scoring rate of Virat Kohli, especially in the middle-overs, should be talked about in the dressing room before the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad(SRH).

When he gets out early, his strike rate is not that great: Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag is not someone who would mince his words, even if he is criticizing the Indian captain. Sehwag on a chat show with Cricbuzz said that Kohli needs to switch his gears a lot earlier than he has this season. Sehwag noticed that Kohli accelerates after playing 20-25 balls and if he gets out, that puts the team in deep trouble.

Virender Sehwag on CricbuzzLive said, “Virat Kohli needs to switch gears a lot quicker. He takes around 20-25 balls to change gears and then when he gets out, the team gets into trouble.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that it is similar to what happened against Delhi. He said that if Kohli would hadn’t got out at that stage, the RCB skipper might have scored a 40-ball 70 or 80. However, that didn’t happen. The legendary opener believes that if Kohli gets out early, his strike rate of 120 is not great and which pushed the team in a hole.

“This is what happened against Delhi Capitals. If he hadn’t got out, he could have scored 40-ball 70 or 80, which would have led to RCB putting on a respectable total. When he gets out early, his strike rate is not that great. It is just around, 110-120, and then the team seems to be in trouble,” Sehwag added.

Bangalore will face Hyderabad in the Eliminator on Friday in Abu Dhabi. Both teams have defeated each other once in the league stage.

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