Virat Kohli's form will decide RCB's place in the playoffs: Mohammad Kaif

Former Indian cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Irfan Pathan shared their insights on the imminent IPL season and the season opener, to be played between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on March 22.

Pathan also analysed the strategic potential of RCB's pace bowling lineup, emphasising its significance on dead Chinnaswamy pitches. Furthermore, Kaif elaborated on Virat Kohli's remarkable form and its pivotal role in RCB's playoff aspirations, stressing that Kohli's consistency will be paramount for the team's success, despite the presence of other notable players like Green and Maxwell.

“One thing I would like to say to RCB fans is that people might say that the bowling line-up is weak for the team at least what it seems, but RCB’s management has done one thing: they have bought pace in their bowling line-up. They have 3 fast bowlers who can touch one 140 km/hour speed. So there is a possibility that on a dead pitch like Chinnaswamy, this Express pace might get the job done because batting is anyway really strong,” Pathan told Star Sports while explaining how RCB utilise the express pace in the squad to capitalise on a dead Chinnaswamy pitch.

Mohammad Kaid spoke on Virat Kohli’s resurgence to form and how crucial it is for RCB to make it to the playoffs.

“Virat Kohli has been playing amazing cricket from the last 1-2 years; he has been in good form. I remember during the Asia Cup when he scored a century against Afghanistan; since then, he hasn’t looked back. He has been in amazing form since then, and when a player like Virat Kohli is in form, he knows how to make runs in every match; he was also the player of the tournament during the World Cup. So I think he’s going to continue this amazing form," he said.

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"One special thing about Virat Kohli is that every time he comes back from a break, he plays really well. Most players want to be in touch and play regularly to get in form, but Virat Kohli every time when he comes back from the break, he comes across as a more dangerous batsman. Yes, there are Green and Maxwell in the team, but Virat Kohli’s form will decide RCB’s place in the playoffs. It’s important that Virat Kohli is in form with Maxwell and Green for RCB to qualify for the playoffs,” he added.