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'Wouldn't Point Fingers At Virat Kohli' Ex-AUS Captain Blames Du Plessis For RR Loss

Virat Kohli gutted after RCB's six wicket loss to RR in IPL 2024 (X.com)Virat Kohli gutted after RCB's six wicket loss to RR in IPL 2024 (X.com)

Despite being the first centurion of the IPL 2024 season and the orange cap holder for the most runs in the tournament, Virat Kohli faced heavy scrutiny for his slow knock as RCB lost to RR. However, Michael Clarke begged to differ from the public opinion and instead blamed Faf du Plessis' questionable tactics.

Having put into bat first, Virat Kohli stitched a 125 runs opening stand with RCB captain Faf du Plessis against RR on Saturday. While Kohli anchored the innings from one end, the lack of support forced him into a shell, thus resulting in the 67 balls slowest century of IPL history.

Hence, when RCB suffered a six-wicket defeat, fans blamed Virat Kohli for his low strike rate as per T20 format standards.

Michael Clarke defends Virat Kohli's sluggish century!

However, former Australian captain Michael Clarke had an interesting opinion as he shifted the blame to RCB captain Faf du Plessis. He refused to point fingers at Kohli saying the batter played according to the situation which was working against him. 

“I wouldn't point my fingers at Virat Kohli. He was brilliant and I think he played the exact role he needed to play because the batters around him are not scoring enough runs, not playing with enough confidence or enough freedom,” Clarke told Star Sports.

The batters around him lacked confidence which eventually left RCB 15 runs short. Not only that, Clarke called out RCB captain for sending Cameron Green over finisher Dinesh Karthik during the death overs.

“I think RCB left 15 runs on the ground. A few of their decisions were hard to understand. You have got Karthik as a finisher; I don’t know why he did not come in probably after Maxwell. He certainly should have come in before Green. That was an interesting decision,” he added.

RR's Jos Butler countered Virat Kohli's extraordinary knock with an aggressive 58-ball 100 that eventually helped Rajasthan Royals extend their unbeaten streak.