IPL 2021: Gautam Gambhir explains why RCB skipper Virat Kohli has dropped anchor

On account of their splendid victory against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Royal Challengers Bangalore have qualified for the playoffs for the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This is also the first time that RCB has done so with two games to spare after the 2011 season of IPL. Throughout this season, RCB have shown a remarkable amount of consistency and have majorly dominated their opponents. With two matches yet to be played, RCB would be hoping to continue with their winning momentum.

Their next match is against out-of-form Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who are languishing at the bottom of the points table. The Virat Kohli-led franchise would be hoping to continue with the same momentum, albeit some improvements from the top order especially their skipper. So far, the right-hand batter has got starts in the majority of 12 games but failed to convert it into something substantial.

Cricketer-turned-expert Gautam Gambhir was asked about the RCB skipper’s form and what has caused him to play the anchor role. Kohli has so far scored 110 runs in the power play for RCB in the UAE leg. It is in the middle overs that he has largely struggled to get going scoring only 49 runs.

“It depends on the wicket and probably the reason is Maxwell and de Villiers’ ability to accelerate. He also feels that he can play the anchor’s role in the second half of the innings and that’s not his natural game.

“So that’s the reason why he is most successful when he opens the batting so that he can use the first six overs and get the momentum and continue batting while someone else from the other end can accelerate,” Gambhir was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo.

Virat Kohli does not have the same power as Maxwell and De Villiers: Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir further opined that the strike rate in T20 cricket is overrated, and then someone like Glenn Maxwell won’t possibly score 600 runs in an IPL season as someone as Kohli. He also said that the RCB skipper’s natural game is to bat through the innings.

“If he goes outside his natural game then it would be difficult for him as he doesn’t have the same power and skill of de Villiers and Maxwell. But again, you need all kinds of players in your XI. You can expect Kohli to have a 600-run season, but you can’t expect Maxwell to have a 500-run season,” he stated