NEW DELHI: As
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
gear up to face Rajasthan Royals in a crucial Indian Premier League showdown at Jaipur, all eyes will be on star batter
Virat Kohli
, who has shouldered the batting responsibilities for his team amidst an inconsistent run.
RR, riding high on an unbeaten streak of three matches, will host RCB at the
Sawai Mansingh Stadium
. While RR aims to extend their winning streak, RCB seeks to improve their win-loss record this season, having won just one out of their four games.
Despite boasting a star-studded batting line-up comprising Faf Du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, and others, RCB have struggled to find collective form.
Virat Kohli has been the lone bright spot for RCB in an otherwise lackluster season. With 203 runs in four matches at an average of 67.66 and a strike rate of nearly 141, including two half-centuries, he currently holds the
Orange Cap
for most runs in the season.
Virat Kohli at Rajasthan Royals' Sawai Mansingh stadium
However, there are concerning statistics about Virat's performance, particularly at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. While he has excelled at this venue in international cricket, amassing 195 runs in three matches at an average of 97.50, with a century and a fifty, his IPL record here tells a different story.
In eight IPL matches at this stadium, Virat has managed just 149 runs at an average of 21.29 and a strike rate of over 94, with no half-centuries or centuries to his name. His last outing at this venue against RR saw him struggle to an 18 off 19 balls.
Among venues where he has batted at least eight innings in his IPL career, Jaipur is the one where he has the lowest average.
Virat Kohli vs Sandeep Sharma
Adding to his woes, RR pacer
Sandeep Sharma
has had the upper hand against Virat in their IPL encounters. Out of 15 matchups, Virat has scored only 87 runs from 67 balls against Sandeep, being dismissed by him seven times. His batting average against Sandeep stands at a meager 12.42, with a strike rate of 129.85.
With just 11 fours and a solitary six off Sandeep's bowling, Virat faces a daunting task against the seasoned pacer as he looks to turn around his fortunes at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium and guide RCB to victory against RR.
(With inputs from ANI)
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