Virat Kohli continues to rack up runs as the league’s top scorer with 430 runs in 9 games. However, the way of his scores has sparked debate, as his team the Royal Challengers Bengaluru languishes at the bottom of the standings. With nearly 100 more runs than the second ranked Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kohli’s individual success contrasts sharply with his team’s struggles. There is some issue, possibly stemming from Kohli’s struggles in the top order.

Kohli’s strike rate in IPL 2024 has sparked debate, but it’s not the worst at 145. However, the way his innings unfolded against Sunrisers Hyderabad raises concerns. After an explosive start in the Powerplay, scoring 32 runs off 18 balls, Kohli then managed just 19 runs from his next 25 balls. His inability to score briskly in the middle overs continues to trouble him, an alarming sign with the T20 World Cup approaching.

Former Indian player Ajay Jadeja critiqued Virat Kohli’s innings of 51 runs from 43 balls on Thursday evening. Jadeja divided the innings into two halves – one that benefits India and one that does not. While not blaming Kohli entirely for his approach, Jadeja expressed some concern about the RCB’s rigid batting order, which leaves no flexibility for experimentation.

“When Virat Kohli began, he seemed to be in a different zone. After scoring around 24 runs off the first 11-12 balls, we felt that RCB was playing like SRH. However, the key difference between SRH and RCB is that once RCB got ahead, they slowed down as if they weren’t aiming for an exceptionally high score,” opined Jadeja.

“Kohli’s consistency is unmatched. Once the Powerplay ended, Kohli slowed down, perhaps due to RCB losing two quick wickets. At times, RCB seem adamant about their batters and their roles, always sending DK late, thereby stifling momentum,” Jadeja continued.

Kohli provided an explosive start to RCB, brilliantly fulfilling the first part of his role. After Faf du Plessis won the toss and chose to bat first, he and Kohli seized the initiative and turned the tables on Sunrisers. RCB raced to 61/1 in the Powerplay. Shockingly though, Kohli did not hit a single boundary from overs 7 to 15. While RCB compensated with Rajat Patidar‘s 19-ball half-century and a crucial 37* off 20 from Cameron Green, Kohli’s mysterious lack of boundaries in the middle overs remains an unsolved puzzle.

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