Gautam Gambhir Offers Advice on Virat Kohli’s Innings Approach Against Kolkata Knight Riders

The stakes are as high as they can be as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) takes on Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2021 Eliminator in Sharjah. Virat Kohli is in charge of RCB for the final time this season, and he has a solid chance of winning the trophy for his beloved franchise. The last time the two teams met, Kohli and his guys were bowled out for less than 100 runs by KKR. If Kohli is asked to bat first, he will have to hold down the fort for his team and establish a solid foundation so that players like Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers can go hammer and tongs in the final overs.

Gautam Gambhir, the former captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders and a former Team India teammate of Kohli’s, has spoken on what he believes should be Kohli’s attitude as a batter in this knock-out competition. In an interview with ESPNCricinfo’s “T20 TimeOut,” Gambhir stated Kohli could play the role of sheet anchor and try to bat until the 17th or 18th over. Kohli’s ability to rotate the strike in the middle overs, according to Gambhir, is a key feature that might enable RCB to score big or do well in a chase.

“The platform is set up for Virat Kohli, who is a major match-winner. Kohli should not take too many risks in the first six overs, in my opinion. I believe that if Kohli bats until the 17th or 18th over, Maxwell, de Villiers, Dan Christian, and KS Bharat will be able to play around him “according to Gambhir.

“Kohli will be RCB’s most important part of the team if they are to set a target of 150 or 160 runs while batting first, as he is the only player who can regularly rotate the strike in the middle overs. RCB’s bowling attack is capable of defending a total of 155 to 160 runs ” he quoted.

When asked where AB de Villiers should bat, Gambhir suggested that the South African superstar bat at number five.

“He should bat at number 5 because Maxwell should bat at number 4 because he is the in-form hitter and KS Bharat has done well at number 3,” Gambhir explained.