Irfan Pathan praises Virat Kohli for leading the team against the RCB. ‘Bringing Hasaranga to bowl the third over was a masterstroke’. On April 20, Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Punjab Kings by a score of 24 runs.
Irfan Pathan, a former all-rounder for India, commended Virat Kohli for his leadership style during the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) victory over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 20 in Mohali during the IPL 2023. Following the absence of usual leader Faf du Plessis due to a rib injury, Kohli assumed the position. Notably, RCB won the game with a score of 24 runs over PBKS, giving them their third victory of the current IPL.
Pathan claimed that Kohli made wise judgments by frequently switching bowlers, adding new life to the game. The 38-year-old claimed Kohli made a wise decision by bringing in Wanindu Hasaranga in the third over since he was aware that spin posed a threat to PBKS’ Matthew Short (8). Along with removing Short, Hasaranga was also instrumental in RCB’s victory by removing Shahrukh Khan (7).
“He brought a different energy. Along with the energy, the decision-making – changing the bowling regularly. Bringing Hasaranga to bowl the third over was a masterstroke because he knew that Matthew Short is troubled by spin. So he brought spin and got a strong grip on the match,”
Pathan said
“When Siraj dismissed Livingstone, he was brought from the other end, and then the fielding (Siraj’s run out of Harpreet Singh). It gets rubbed off when you bring in that much energy. From Virat Kohli’s energy, it seemed as though he had done the run-out,”
he added.
In Mohali, RCB defeated PBKS by 24 runs.
RCB set a 175-run goal for PBKS after being given the opportunity to bat first, with Kohli and Impact Player Du Pessis each collecting half-centuries. The Proteas batsman scored 84 runs off 56 deliveries, compared to the 34-year-old batter’s 59 runs off 47 balls. Arshdeep Singh and Nathan Ellis each got one wicket, while Harpreet Brar claimed two for PBKS.
With 10 balls remaining, PBKs were dismissed for 150 thanks to early wickets taken by RCB bowlers. Mohammed Siraj contributed significantly to RCB’s triumph by taking four crucial wickets. He won Player of the Match for his outstanding period. Hasaranga claimed two wickets in the meanwhile, while Wayne Parnell and Harshal Patel each claimed one.
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