'If openers can bat for six-eight overs, it might be different': India legend Sunil Gavaskar wants RCB openers to support Kohli

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) former skipper Virat Kohli has not shown his true form to fans for a while now. His inconsistent performances at the international level have now continued in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, where he scored a couple of 40+ runs in the first four matches after which it has gone downhill for Kohli.

In the last two matches against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Kohli has been dismissed for Golden Ducks.  

Analysing his batting during the mid-innings break, former India legend Sunil Gavaskar said that getting out on the very first ball that you face is a matter of nerves and that Kohli should be getting more support from the RCB openers. “When a batsman is getting out on the first ball, it’s very difficult to analyse what’s going on. If a batsman has played even half a dozen deliveries, you notice whether his foot is moving or his batting is not coming right. But when a batsman gets out on the first ball, I think it’s just the anxiety. The anxiety to put the bat to the ball and get going…" 

And the best thing would be the openers doing a very good job. At the moment, he’s got out in powerplay. So maybe if the openers can bat for six-eight overs, it might be a slightly different thing," said Gavaskar.

Kohli was dismissed off the bowling of South African pacer Marco Jansen, who confused the 33-year-old with his sheer pace and movement. Taking a thick edge, the ball went straight to Aiden Markram who took a comfortable catch. This was his fifth golden duck in the IPL.

His good friend and former England great Kevin Pietersen backed him on social media, saying that Kohli is going through a bad patch, but it has happened to every other great cricketer. “You want a fact? Every single great of our game has been through what Virat is going through. Want another fact? They all get through it and deliver on the big stage again…” he tweeted.

RCB were dismissed for just 68. They went on to lose the match by nine wickets as SRH chased down the total with 72 balls remaining.