'I brought out the slog sweep to the spinners' - Virat Kohli on taking calculated risks against PBKS at Dharamsala

In the clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Thursday, Virat Kohli's brilliant knock (92 off 47) propelled the visitors to a massive 241/7. Kohli's innings consisted of his calculated use of the slog-sweep shot against the spinners, a risk he willingly took to keep the scoring rate high.

Heading into the match, Kohli had a modest strike rate of 123.58 against spinners in the first nine games of IPL 2024. However, in his last three innings, he has elevated his strike rate to an impressive 167.7, thanks in part to his newfound confidence in the slog sweep.

The New Delhi-born's ability to adapt and evolve his game has been a main aspect of his illustrious career, and the slog sweep has become an important shot this season.

“I brought out the slog sweep to the spinners. (It's) something that I just mentally put myself in that situation. I didn't practice it at all. I know I can hit it because I've hit it a lot in the past,” explained Kohli, speaking at the post-match party.

Also read: Aakash Chopra on Punjab Kings' poor fielding against RCB

I needed to take a bit more risk: Virat Kohli

The former RCB captain's willingness to take calculated risks paid dividends against PBKS.

“So I just felt like I needed to take a bit more risk and for me, that shot was something that I used to hit regularly back in the day and that's allowing me to now hit off the back foot as well because now I'm looking to expose that side (leg side) of the field against the spin which for me has been a massive factor in this IPL,” added the RCB opener.

The ace batter's decision to use the slog sweep was his willingness to constantly evolve his game. “I think it takes a bit more conviction to take out that thought that props up, what if you get out? I think I have been managing to stay ahead of that thought in this IPL. And that's helped me through the middle overs, keep my strike rate up and keeping that scoring rate going for the team as well,” he further added.

Also read: Virat's going to make you hurt, especially if you drop him three or four times: Cameron Green

After RCB's 60-run win over PBKS, the 2016 finalists are still in contention to find a berth in the playoffs. The Bengaluru-based team is currently in the seventh position with 10 points and has more than two games left in the league stage.