IPL 2024: ‘Aggression has to be...’: RCB coach Andy Flower post Kohli’s slowest IPL hundred
RCB's Virat Kohli in IPL 2024 (Source: BCCI)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Andy Flower has opened up on the discussion surrounding Virat Kohli's strike rate during the match against Rajasthan Royals (RR). Kohli struck his eighth IPL century but it came in 67 balls which was the joint-slowest in the history of the tournament.
Quizzed during the press conference if RCB slowing down late in the innings had become a recurring theme of the season and that strike rate was being neglected, Flower said the team actively discussed that component of the game.
"We do discuss strike rates and aggression, it's part of the understanding of the T20 game. The level of aggression has to be above a certain threshold and you have to always be putting the opposition under pressure," said Flower.
"Certainly taking the aggressive option, especially on pitches like today. It's just a fact that at the moment that our top five aren't in sparkling form except Virat. It's a tough place to be," he added.
Asked if the lack of performance from the big-ticket overseas buys was hurting the team, Flower remarked they had to step up.
"It's not from lack of effort, they're working hard, they're giving everything they've got. Just not firing at the moment. If we've got to turn this around, we need them firing."
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RR steamroll RCB
Batting first against RR, Kohlilooked assured from the beginning and carried his bat through even though other batters failed to build sustained partnerships with him.
The result of a lone battle from Kohli meant RCB finished with a below-par total of 183. Chasing the target, RR were off to a poor start as Yashasvi Jaiswal departed without opening the scoring. However, Jos Buttler finally returned to form and alongside skipper Sanju Samson, killed the game with an incredible 148-run partnership.
RR ultimately won the contest by six wickets with five balls to spare and continued their unbeaten start to the campaign. Meanwhile, RCB suffered their fourth defeat on the bounce. The defeat has once again raised questions on whether RCB had the right balance in the squad to overcome the current slump and make a late charge for the playoffs spot.
(With inputs from agencies)