IPL 2023: Virat Kohli, who has scored 400 runs, is struggling in the middle overs, former African captain gave advice to deal with spinners
RCB’s middle order is struggling after number three. He tried a few combinations, but seemed to be struggling. This put pressure on Virat, Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis. If RCB has to improve then the pressure on Virat has to be removed.
Former South African captain Graeme Smith believes that Virat Kohli should try other scoring options like sweeping the spinners after the powerplay. Kohli has scored over 400 runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the current IPL season at a strike rate of over 133 but has been criticized for not being able to increase his run-rate in the middle overs.
Smith, an expert on Geo Cinema in IPL, told PTI, “It is difficult to say if someone is such a great batsman. I think RCB’s middle order is struggling after number three. He tried a few combinations, but seemed to be struggling. This put pressure on Virat, Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis. If RCB has to do better then the pressure on Virat has to be removed.
Virat scores runs on conventional shots
Suryakumar Yadav of Mumbai Indians specializes in playing sweep shots, but Virat scores runs on conventional shots. Smith said, “Virat does not play sweep shots against spin much. He should play such shots after six overs. He also said that Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has scored 575 runs in this IPL season, is on the verge of breaking into the Indian team.
Yashasvi Jaiswal on the threshold of entering the Indian team
Smith said, “He has performed brilliantly. His performance in domestic cricket last season and the improvement in his game is commendable. His power down the leg side and the ability to find space to play shots are natural. Talking to him shows how determined he is. He is handling the pressure very well. “He seems to be close to breaking into the Indian team. Indian cricket is lucky to have so many options. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Jaiswal are also in the running now.
