This is the first time that Virat Kohli has been dismissed twice for a first-ball duck in an IPL season. In his previous innings too, he had departed for a first-ball zero.
On Saturday night, the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad saw batting giant Virat Kohli failing for one more time in IPL 2022. Kohli was dismissed for a first-ball duck by SRH pacer Marco Jansen at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium.
This is the fifth instance of Kohli getting out on the first ball of his innings in IPL. He had met the same fate in his side’s preceding game against Lucknow Super Giants on April 19. Notably, this is the first time that a batter has been out twice for a golden duck in a single IPL season.
Earlier, Kohli was dismissed on the first ball in IPL in 2008 (vs Mumbai Indians), 2014 (vs Punjab Kings) and 2017 (vs Kolkata Knight Riders). The ongoing season has been a forgettable one for Kohli. Kohli, who leads the run-scorers’ chart in IPL, has scored just 119 runs across eight innings at a poor average of 17.
Out of the eight innings, Kohli has failed to score any fifty, though he got near to it twice. 41 not out, 12, 5, 48, 1, 12, 0, 0 (most recent) are his scores this season. However, the Virat Kohli fans showed immense support for the player despite him failing once again on Saturday.
Man it's so tough to see the player you love most this helpless😥🥺 #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/SPY4SrlKa2
On the other hand, Kohli's team RCB was bundled out by SRH for 68 runs in the game.
Meanwhile, RCB batting coach Sanjay Bangar has come out in support of Virat Kohli stating the former captain is doing everything under his control.
"He (Kohli) is somebody who has consistently performed for RCB. Players go through these kind of rough patches. He started the season really well, nearly hit the winning runs in Pune but then you have an odd run-out or the first edge that finds his bat lands in fielder's hands," Bangar said after the match.
"He is certainly doing everything that is in his control. He is doing his fitness and skills and taking good breaks and not letting the pressure get to him. He has been taking breaks at regular intervals and will continue to do so going forward."
Earlier, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri had spoken his mind. He had said that exceesive cricket was taking a toll on Kohli.
“I am going straight to the main guy here. Virat Kohli is overcooked. If anyone needs a break, it’s him. Whether it’s 2 months or a month-and-a-half, whether it’s after England or before England. He needs a break because he has got 6-7 years of cricket left in him and you don’t want to lose that with a fried brain,” Shastri had told Sportstar.