Virat Kohli has admitted he is at a loss for words to explain the poor batting form of his Royal Challengers Bangalore team as their wretched Indian Premier League (IPL) season continued with a 19-run defeat to Kings XI Punjab.
Bangalore, last year’s finalists and boasting a batting line-up that includes Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, were the first team in this year’s IPL to fall out of play-off contention when they lost to the Mumbai Indians on Monday,
They also set a new IPL record for the lowest innings total when they were bowled out for 49 by Kolkata Knight Riders. Of their 12 matches played, Bangalore have lost nine, with two wins and one no result.
Another unwanted record came Bangalore’s way on Friday evening as Punjab successfully defended their score of 138, making it the first time a sub-150 total was defended at Chinnaswamy Stadium in the IPL.
“It’s really disheartening; I don’t know what to say in games like these anymore,” Kohli said. “It’s happening many a times now for our liking. Anything we are trying with the bat is not working, the whole squad is trying to be positive but we’re not finding a way to make a big score.
“I can’t pinpoint anything. Our preparations have been similar to what we did last year, but what matters is what you do on the field and this season has been against what we’ve wanted.
“We let ourselves down with the bat once again, I’ve not seen so many collapses for a team in one season.”
Punjab looked to have teed Bangalore up for victory when their innings failed to ignite.
Axar Patel top-scored with a 17-ball 38, while there were contributions in the 20s from Shaun Marsh, Manan Vohra, and Wriddhiman Saha.
However, aside from a 40-ball 46 from opener Mandheep Singh, it was a familiar story for Bangalore. Eight players failed to get out of the single figures, with Gayle removed for a second ball duck, and Kohli dismissed for six.
The victory keeps Punjab in with a shout of a play-off place. They trail Sunrisers Hyderabad by three points, but still have one game more to play.
“We did really well, the history here gave us some confidence,” Punjab captain Glenn Maxwell said. “Axar’s score gave a good total to defend.
“Our bowlers did good job in patches. We’re close and still want to play better, still a lot of things to come.”
* The National staff
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