RCB’s Playoff Hopes Hinge on Virat Kohli’s Form, Says Mohammad Kaif

Cric News India IPL News 2025

March 14, 2024 0 829

Mohammad Kaif highlighted the important role of Virat Kohli’s consistent form in securing RCB’s spot in the playoffs, noting Kohli’s remarkable performance post-breaks.

Former Indian cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Irfan Pathan provided insights on the upcoming IPL season, particularly focusing on the opening match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore at MA Chidambaram Stadium on March 22.

Pathan analyzed RCB’s pace bowling lineup, highlighting its importance on slow Chinnaswamy pitches. He emphasized the significance of RCB’s acquisition of fast bowlers who can touch speeds of 140 km/hour, suggesting that their express pace could prove effective on such surfaces.

“One thing I would like to say to RCB fans is that people might say that the bowling line-up is weak for the team at least what it seems, but RCB’s management has done one thing: they have bought pace in their bowling line-up. They have 3 fast bowlers who can touch one 140 km/hour speed. So there is a possibility that on a dead pitch like Chinnaswamy, this Express pace might get the job done because batting is anyway really strong,” Pathan told Star Sports.

Additionally, Kaif discussed Virat Kohli’s pivotal form for RCB’s playoff hopes, reassuring fans about the team’s bowling strength despite perceived weaknesses.

“Virat Kohli has been playing amazing cricket from the last 1-2 years; he has been in good form. I remember during the Asia Cup when he scored a century against Afghanistan; since then, he hasn’t looked back. He has been in amazing form since then, and when a player like Virat Kohli is in form, he knows how to make runs in every match; he was also the player of the tournament during the World Cup. So I think he’s going to continue this amazing form,” Kaif added.

Despite the presence of other notable players like Green and Maxwell, Kaif stressed that Kohli’s form will ultimately determine RCB’s success. He highlighted Kohli’s knack for elevating his game post-breaks, making him a strong force crucial for RCB’s journey to the playoffs.

“One special thing about Virat Kohli is that every time he comes back from a break, he plays really well. Yes, there are Green and Maxwell in the team, but Virat Kohli’s form will decide RCB’s place in the playoffs. It’s important that Virat Kohli is in form with Maxwell and Green for RCB to qualify for the playoffs,” he concluded.