IPL 2020: Ajit Agarkar reveals two mistakes which Virat Kohli made against KXIP

Royal Challengers Bangalore were handed their first defeat of IPL 2020 by KL Rahul-led Kings XI Punjab on Thursday. The Bangalore bowling unit was hapless against Rahul’s 132-run whirlwind. On his way to a magnificent century, he thrashed RCB bowlers including veteran Dale Steyn.

In response, Virat Kohli’s men managed to post only 103 on the board, giving a comprehensive 97-run victory to KXIP. Following RCB’s defeat, former India pacer Ajit Agarkar has criticized skipper Kohli for making two major mistakes against the Punjab side.

Kohli, in the 20th over, handed the bowl to all-rounder Shivam Dube which proved costly. Although Dube had two wickets after conceding just 10 runs in his first two-over spell, he had to face a well-set Rahul in the ultimate over of the innings. He conceded 23 runs as KXIP posted 206 runs on the board.

Virat Kohli should never bat lower than No. 3: Ajit Agarkar

In the ESPNCricinfo T20 Timeout show, Agarkar said, “I understand Dube had a couple of decent overs. But when you come into the last over, when one batsman is set and batting at 100+, you would want your main bowler to come and bowl. Particularly, in the last over, because in T20 cricket, a couple of deliveries could make a huge difference.”

Furthermore, Agarkar opined that Kohli should never bat lower than the No.3 position. The leading run-scorer of the IPL came in to bat at No.4 against KXIP and got dismissed after scoring just one run in five balls. Due to the presence of opener Aaron Finch, Kohli has pushed himself down the order.

“Virat Kohli should never bat lower than No. 3. Yes, because they have Aaron Finch so he is not opening. But he just cannot bat lower than No. 3. These are the games in which he takes extra responsibility or rises to the occasion. He likes to get in the game. I was a little surprised he did not come to bat at no. 3. Not great decision-making on the day,” Agarkar said.

After registering a win and a loss in their first two games of this season, Kohli’s troops will next face Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.