'In terms of volume, Virat will get a lot of runs this season' - Ravi Shastri predicts during RCB vs MI match

As Royal Challengers Bangalore comprehensively defeated Mumbai Indians in the fifth match of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2023, Ravi Shastri could be heard predicting a better season for Virat Kohli than for Rohit Sharma while commentating on the match between the two teams.

Virat Kohli had a magnificent start to the tournament as he remained invincible in the first match against Mumbai to drive Royal Challengers Bangalore to an 8-wicket victory. He smashed six fours and five sixes to put up a scintillating 49-ball 82 as RCB won the match with 22 balls to spare. 

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma had a stint to forget as the India skipper could only manage to get 1 run off his bat after facing ten deliveries. 

It was during the match that IPL released a poll asking viewers to choose between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as to who they thought would have a better season with the bat. Former team-India coach Ravi Shastri, who was on air performing his commentary duties, too dropped his view as the intense rivalry between the two stalwarts of the Indian team had gotten underway. 

Shastri opined that while Virat Kohli could be seen playing long, deep innings and getting runs in bulk, Rohit Sharma could come in with short bursts of innings to impart brisk momentum to his team.

"The fact that he has to bat long and deep will allow him to get those volume of runs. On the other hand, with Rohit Sharma, you will see some short bursts, some match-winning bursts but in terms of volume, Virat will get a lot of runs this season," Shastri was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Royal Challengers will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders in their first away match

Starting their tournament on a positive note, Royal Challengers Bangalore will next move to the Eden Gardens where they will take on Kolkata Knight Riders in their first away fixture. They would look to keep their momentum going when the two sides take the field in the tournament's ninth game on April 6.

Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, had a disappointing start to their campaign as they lost to Punjab Kings by 7 runs in a rain-affected match. The Nitish Rana-led side has been hit by the unavailability of Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan and would soon want to fill in the void and get back to winning ways.