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‘Virat Was Playing Really Well…’ RCB Skipper Faf Du Plessis Defends Kohli After Defeat To RR

Virat Kohli top-scored for RCB with 113* off 72 balls (BCCI)Virat Kohli top-scored for RCB with 113* off 72 balls (BCCI)

Fueled by Virat Kohli’s century, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) still slumped to a huge six-wicket defeat to hosts Rajasthan Royals in match number 19 of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) season.

Apart from Kohli’s unbeaten 113, captain Faf du Plessis also shaped a crucial 33-ball 44 from his end at the top of the order, and shared a 125-run opening stand with the former to set up a respectable 183-run total upfront.

After Rajasthan Royals mowed down their target with five balls to spare, losing skipper claimed that the pitch played much better during the run-chase and he also hailed Virat Kohli for his sublime century in the first half of the game. 

The former South African captain further lamented team’s “lack of energy” on the field this season.


Faf du Plessis hails Virat Kohli’s century

Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, RCB skipper Faf du Plessis claimed that the wicket was a bit “tricky and low” in the first innings when they scored 183. 

Moreover, the cricketer is also of the opinion that the pitch got better for batting during the run-chase.

Faf du Plessis feels that they fell 10-15 runs short after his 125-run partnership with Virat Kohli, and believes that his batters found it difficult to counter Rajasthan Royals spinners in the backend. 

“I think we found the wicket was very tricky and low in the first innings. The pitch definitely got better. If you slide your hand on the outfield, you can feel the dew. In our heads, we felt 190 was a good score. In the last two overs, we left 10-15 runs there. In the middle overs, their spinners bowled well and it was tough to hit. In the hindsight, we felt that we could have pushed ourselves harder.”

Faf du Plessis also praised Virat Kohli for his hundred, one that consumed 67 deliveries to become the joint-slowest century in the history of IPL. 

The legendary Proteas batter further asserted that his troops found it difficult to bat upfront on the turning surface. 

“Obviously, Virat Kohli was playing really well. With the partner Greeny or DK, you want to maximize in the last two overs. Because we had wickets in the hand. But we spoke about squeezing hard. We tried hard but a lot of the balls were hit on the bottom of the bat and it was tough out there.”

Faf du Plessis lamented RCB’s “average” fielding outings off late. He believes that the ‘energy levels’ of his players on the field have not been up to the mark, especially during RCB’s recent IPL matches.

The Bengaluru captain will now lead his RCB troops in match number 25 of the IPL 2024 season against five-time winners Mumbai Indians. 

The much-awaited contest will be staged at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 11.