IPL 2022 | RCB vs PBKS | How can RCB cover up for Virat Kohli?

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be squaring off against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 60th match of IPL 2022 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. 

RCB is currently stationed at number four in the points table, with 14 points registered to their name. With a couple of matches left for them in the league stage, they need to win at least one game to make it to the playoffs.

They have played well in bits and pieces, but there is one major concern area - The form of Virat Kohli

Virat's slump in scoring form in the international arena has continued even in the IPL season. Let us look at his record in the current season of IPL.

IPL 2022: In IPL 2022, Virat has played 12 innings and has scored 216 runs in them. His strike rate for the season is 111.34, and his RPI is a mere 18. Besides, he has also scored three golden ducks in the season, which is a rare occurrence for the talismanic batter. The most problematic thing appears to be his mode of dismissal and how helpless he is finding himself.

Moving towards the business end of the tournament, RCB will have to find ways to cover up for Virat Kohli's lacklustre performances. However, they will still have to show faith in Kohli's class and allow him more time to regain his touch.

1. Aggressive opening partner: Virat Kohli is used as an opener by RCB in the season. RCB can look to tweak its strategy a bit. It is known that Faf du Plessis has a similar sort of batting approach to Kohli. They both like to take their time at the beginning of their innings and then take the attack on the bowlers when settled.

So, a bit of change in Faf's approach could benefit RCB. The skipper of the team should look to be aggressive from the very beginning. This would allow Virat the time to get a feel of things and thus settle down in the process. So, let him bite out his time in the beginning.

2. Follow-up Batters: If Kohli makes it through the initial stage of his innings. The pressure of increasing the scoring rate should not fall on him. The ideal batter to replace Du Plessis will be Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell's IPL career strike rate is 153.12, which RCB will need. While Kohli makes his way through steadily, the license of going for the kill should be given to Maxwell.

3. Back-up Plan: While being aggressive against the bowlers in pitches that are slowing down, there is a chance that both Faf and Maxwell might fail to fire. But RCB should not step back from their plans if this happens.

They should follow up Faf and Maxi with aggressive batters like Mahipal Lomror and Dinesh Karthik. Lomror's strike rate this season has been 165.71. On the other hand, Dinesh Karthik has been the superstar in RCB's batting order this season. He has scored runs at a strike rate of 200.00. So, RCB can use the striking forms of these players to cover up for Kohli.

 VK will require the assistance of his team to regain his form. He is to be allowed enough freedom and time to get the feel of the atmosphere and build his innings. RCB need to free him of responsibility and tell him to go out and play the way he feels he should.

A batter of his class is never long away from finding his touch. But for now, like the whole cricketing world, we await the return of 'The King.'