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'Virat Kohli is not going to score runs...' - Steve Smith on RCB's poor IPL 2024 campaign

By Sai Vaitla

Published - 05 Apr 2024, 05:18 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:09 AM

Steve Smith and Virat Kohli
Steve Smith and Virat Kohli (Image Credits: Twitter)

Former Australian captain Steve Smith commended Virat Kohli for his stellar batting displays in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Steve Smith noted that Virat Kohli is under a lot of pressure, and the other Royal Challengers Bengaluru batters need to support him.

The Bengaluru-based franchise has endured three losses out of four matches played in this year's tournament. Notably, the team lost two matches at their home ground in Bengaluru. They currently occupy eighth place in the 10-team table, with two points to their tally.

Virat Kohli stands out as the lone performer for his team, carrying the weight of the batting lineup single-handedly. He has scored 203 runs in four matches at an average of 67.66 and a strike rate of 140.97, including two half-centuries. Currently, he holds the Orange Cap for being the leading run-getter in the tournament.

None of the team's batters have reached the 100-run milestone, with Maxwell and du Plessis notching 31 and 65 runs, respectively. Dinesh Karthik has secured the second-highest run count for RCB with 90 runs. Anuj Rawat failed to deliver with a bat except for the first match.

Virat Kohli Needs Other Batters To Stand Up With Him - Steve Smith

Steve Smith emphasized the importance of other key batters supporting Virat Kohli to change RCB's season trajectory. He highlighted that the current pressure is immense on Kohli due to the lack of support from teammates

"He (Virat Kohli) needs the other key batters to stand up with him, and if they do that, they can turn things around for their season. But, at the moment, they're not so a lot of pressure is on Virat," Smith told PTI.

"I doubt he'd be putting extra pressure on himself. (But) some of the other top-order and middle-order (batters) need to help Virat," Smith added.

Virat Kohli Started The Campaign Really Well - Steve Smith

The Australian cricketer acknowledged Kohli's strong start to the IPL campaign but emphasized the necessity of support from his teammates. Smith underscored the urgency for other Bengaluru batters to elevate their performance.

"He started the campaign really well in the IPL and he needs some support. He's not going to score runs on every occasion. But, I doubt he'd be thinking that way. I don't think he'd go out and put extra pressure on himself. He'd just go out and play and see what happens in that game," Smith added.

Virat Kohli Is an Incredible Player - Steve Smith

Steve Smith commended Virat Kohli's remarkable skill in reading game situations and adjusting his gameplay accordingly. Smith emphasized that Kohli's flexibility allows him to build partnerships rather than solely focusing on high run rates.

"Virat is an incredible player. What he does really well, and probably better than most people in the world, is (that) he sums up the conditions and the situation of the game and plays accordingly. If he needs to strike big, he does. If he needs to bring it back a little bit and build some partnerships...You don't need 180 on every ground; 150-160 might be enough on some grounds," Smith concluded.

Virat Kohli will next be in action when the Faf du Plessis-led side faces the unbeaten Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday, April 6.

Also read: Sunil Narine trolls Virat Kohli and RCB that too with a fake post

Tagged:

Indian Premier League (IPL) IPL 2024 Steve Smith Virat Kohli Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

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