Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore yet again missed the chance to grab the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy after they were bowled out of the race for the play-offs by Rajasthan Royals (RR) during Match Number 52 of the IPL 2018. RCB have never lifted the IPL trophy since the start of the tournament in 2008.
RR defeated RCB by 30 runs. Chasing a target of 165 runs, RCB folded up for 134 runs in 19.2 overs.
Disappointed with team’s performance in a must-win game against RR earlier today, RCB skipper Virat Kohli blamed the middle-order for team’s dismissal show.
During the chit-chat with Murali Karthik after the match, Virat said: “We were in a great position. 75/1, and the way we were bundled out wasn’t ideal. Someone like AB who can hit fours and sixes was knocking it around so the others didn’t support him and apply themselves. We needed more smart decision-making.”
__Kohli: We were in a great position. 75/1, and the way we were bundled out wasn’t ideal. Someone like AB who can hit fours and sixes was knocking it around so the others didn’t support him and apply themselves. We needed more smart decision-making. #PlayBold #RRvRCB #RCB
— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) 19 May 2018
“We wanted to strengthen the middle-order which hasn’t happened, it hasn’t been our strength and we need to do that going into the next few seasons. We need to be smarter with composing our team. The responsibility cannot be taken up only by AB all the time. He certainly scored runs, but others need to contribute around him, and didn’t show enough composure,” Kohli added.
Not enough application by the batsmen, the bowlers didn’t show enough cutting edge in an all important game.#RRvRCB #PlayBold #RCB pic.twitter.com/hVuPIxGwEA
— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) 19 May 2018
Kohli, however, heaped praises on bowlers and said: “There were some new players who did well. Umesh bowled extremely well with the new ball, Chahal was great, Siraj and Moeen contributed too, so plenty of positives to take into the next season.”
Kohli has been leading the RCB side since 2013. He also led the side in 2011 for a few games.
In 94 matches, Virat Kohli managed to win 44 while RCB faced 47 defeats under his leadership. Two were ended as tied and Three as NR (no result).
In IPL 2018, RCB played 14 matches and could only manage to win 6.
The support and cheers for RCB gets amplified even better when it’s in the language of our land. As promised, here’s the Kannada version. #PlayBold #VIVOIPL2018 pic.twitter.com/oSYGEd53YN
— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) 9 April 2018
Besides Kohli and AB de Villiers, no other batsman performed to their potential. Kohli finished as the leading run scorer for RCB with 530 runs at a Strike Rate of 139.10. He registered four 50s under his name. ABD finished second leading run scorer for RCB with 480 runs, including six 50s.
In the bowling department, Umesh Yadav finished as the leading wicket-taker for RCB with 20 wickets under his name. Yuzvendra Chahal ended the season as second leading wicket-taker for RCB with 12 wickets.
