Picture Credit: X/IPL
Indian pacer Mohammad Shami extended support to RCB’s batting icon Virat Kohli during the franchise’s last fixture against Rajasthan Royals. Shami, who has been out of the T20 tournament due to an injury, was a part of a panel alongside former India opener Virender Sehwag. The Bengaluru-based franchise registered their third consecutive and fourth overall loss in the IPL 2024 after they slumped to the 2008 winners by a margin of 6 wickets.
The match saw Virat Kohli smashing the first century of the 17th edition of the tournament. Kohli not only crossed the 750-run mark but also recorded the eighth century of his overall IPL career. Despite his knock, Kohli found himself on fans’ and experts due to his strike rate. The century scored by Kohli was the slowest hundred in the history of the tournament, which garnered the attention of several experts including Virender Sehwag.
Sehwag not only highlighted Kohli’s strike rate but also called out RCB for their lack of support for the star batter. The 2011 World Cup winner told Cricbuzz, “I felt RCB scored about 20 runs less. About Virat Kohli, his knock was great, but there was nobody to support him. Karthik didn’t come..so there were no big hitters to accompany him and those who came didn’t work.” He added, “Kohli’s strike rate should have definitely increased.”
How can RCB put the entire burden on Kohli’s shoulders?: Mohammad Shami
Shami weighed in on the matter and highlighted how RCB have always been over-reliant on Kohli. He said, “Kohli has always performed, whether for the Indian team or RCB. But how can RCB put the entire burden on Kohli’s shoulders? The rest of the batters need to step up.” Their comments came after RCB’s back-to-back defeats in the tournament.
The Bengaluru-based franchise will now lock horns against Mumbai Indians in their next match. The game is scheduled to take palace on April 11, Thursday, at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.