As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gears up to face Rajasthan Royals (RR) in an eagerly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) showdown in Jaipur, all attention will be on the standout batter Virat Kohli, who has shouldered the batting responsibility for his team amidst inconsistencies.
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— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) April 5, 2024
RR, riding high on their unbeaten streak of three matches, will host RCB at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The RCB franchise aims to improve their win-loss record this season, having secured victory in only one out of their four games so far. Despite boasting a star-studded lineup comprising skipper Faf Du Plessis, Virat, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, and Dinesh Karthik, the team has struggled to gel together as a cohesive unit, particularly in the batting department.
Virat has emerged as RCB’s standout performer in an otherwise lackluster season. Across four matches, he has amassed 203 runs at an impressive average of 67.66 and a striking rate of nearly 141, including two half-centuries, making him the current holder of the Orange Cap for the most runs in the season.
No Virat Magic vs RR?
However, Virat’s stellar performances have been curtailed at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium by the Rajasthan Royals. In eight IPL matches played at this venue, Virat has mustered only 149 runs at an average of 21.29 and a modest strike rate of just over 94. His highest score here is 39*, with no half-centuries or centuries to his name. His most recent match at this stadium against RR saw him struggle to an 18 off 19 balls. Among all venues where he has batted at least eight innings in his IPL career, Jaipur stands out as the venue where he has the lowest average.
Additionally, RR’s bowler Sandeep Sharma has proven to be a nemesis for the Indian star, despite Virat’s usual prowess against fast bowling. In their encounters in the IPL, Virat has managed to score only 87 runs from 67 balls against Sandeep, being dismissed seven times by the bowler.
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