After a solid performance, batting star Virat Kohli discussed how his approach of staying steady while others play aggressively has been working for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In their latest match, RCB clinched their fifth consecutive away win, with Kohli scoring an unbeaten 73 off 54 balls in a chase for 158 against Punjab Kings. This win came just a couple of days after they lost to the same team.
Kohli’s partnership with Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 61, was key to their victory, as they combined for a 103-run stand. Kohli shared that he’s happy to hold one end while others play their game, noting he’s focused on understanding his teammates’ strengths. He mentioned that building partnerships is crucial in T20 cricket, and he’s ready to pick up the pace when needed.
He emphasized how critical this win was, explaining how moving from 8 to 10 points can have a big impact. Kohli also appreciated the balance the IPL auction brought to the team, highlighting that they got the players they wanted, which is showing in their performances.
Even though RCB’s captain Patidar had a quiet game with just 12 runs, he praised Kohli and Padikkal for executing the team strategy effectively, acknowledging the bowlers’ efforts as well.
Padikkal added that having Kohli at the other end gives him confidence, making it easier to play. He also mentioned the team’s belief in each other, especially as they adapt to playing away from home.
On the other hand, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer noted that while they’ve been getting good starts, they haven’t been able to convert them into big scores. He also pointed out that the slow pitch worked against them. Iyer stressed the need for the middle-order batsmen to step up and take charge in future matches. He’s looking forward to regrouping during their six-day break to reassess and improve for the next challenge.