RCB vs RR: Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli Coming Together With A Mutual Respect Will Take Pressure Off Kohli - Daniel Vettori

Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) coach Daniel Vettori believes Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli will need to come together to relieve the pressure from the latter.

Kohli is going through a lean patch with the willow in his hand not just at the international stage but also in the IPL 2022.

Virat Kohli’s batting woes in IPL 2022

The former RCB captain has managed to aggregate 128 runs in nine innings at a poor average of 16.

Despite starting the season with an unbeaten 41 against Punjab Kings, Kohli’s woes to score big runs continues to haunt him.

In his last five innings, Kohli has managed 22 runs, including successive golden ducks against Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

In RCB’s recent match against Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, Kohli opened the innings with skipper Faf du Plessis.

Kohli smashed Trent Boult for successive fours in the first over as RCB were chasing 145. In the second over, Kohli toe-ended an attempted pull shot off Prasidh Krisha and lobbed a catch to Riyan Parag at the backward point. He walked off the pitch with a wry smile on his face and nine runs in 10 balls.

Hopefully, we can see Virat Kohli’s aggressive phase: Daniel Vettori

Vettori, the former New Zealand and RCB skipper, was asked how Faf du Plessis can help Kohli to avert his rough patch with the bat. The 43-year-old said:

“I think Virat sees a contemporary and someone who is probably on the same level and that means the focus is not just on Kohli to do the job,” Vettori told ESPNCricinfo.

“And possibly at times he has felt like he has to be at the door in that opening partnership but I think it recalls Faf is an amazing captain and predominant leader. So those two coming together with a mutual respect will take pressure off Kohli.

“Hopefully we can see his aggressive phase and that’s what everyone wants to see him being aggressive because that’s what he is at his best,” he added.

RCB lost the match by 29 runs to record a second successive loss. Questions surround will they qualify for the IPL 2022 playoffs as they are on the fifth spot with 10 points in nine games.

Also Read: IPL 2022: I’d Be Surprised If That Wasn’t Faf du Plessis’ Advice On The Other End Of The Line: Nick Knight Terms Virat Kohli’s Dismissal ‘Bizarre’