IPL 2023: “Don’t worry about the others”- Ravi Shastri advises Virat Kohli about his playing tempo

Kohli has been in superlative form for RCB this season with 419 runs in 10 matches.

By Jatin Sharma - 08 May, 2023

Ravi Shastri, a former India coach, advised Virat Kohli to maintain the pace after he finds his stride.

The 46-ball 55 that Virat Kohli scored in Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) seven-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals has come under scrutiny. The RCB were about 20 runs short because Kohli was unable to raise the tempo of his innings.

Once you get in the tempo, don’t worry about the others. That will be my message to Virat. In a T20 game, you don’t need that many batsmen. If you are hot keep that going. If you get going, don’t change your tempo; try and up the ante,” Ravi Shastri told ESPNCricinfo.

Shastri gave the example of DC’s Phil Salt, who smashed 87 runs off 45 balls for Delhi Capitals to stun Royal Challengers Bangalore by seven wickets. Salt reached 50 off 28 balls, and notched his highest IPL score in a romp.

Prime example was Phil Salt. Once he got into the groove, he didn’t let go. That is something that could be looked at from Virat’s point of view,” said Shastri.

Shastri further added that DC bowled extremely well to keep RCB atleast 20 runs short.

Delhi’s combination was good. I guess the extra batter (Rilee Rossouw) coming in made a big difference. It allowed the batsman to go hammer and tong; they lost an early wicket. They also bowled well on that surface to restrict RCB. I think they were 20 short,” he said.

By Jatin Sharma - 08 May, 2023

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