IPL 2019: Virat Kohli hints at RCB playing XI shake-up following fourth straight loss

Sudhir Gupta 09:01 03/04/2019
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  • Fourth loss in a row for Kohli's RCB. Image - BCCI/SPORTZPICS.

    Skipper Virat Kohli has hinted at changes going forward following Royal Challengers Bangalore’s fourth straight loss in the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL).

    Bangalore’s disastrous start to their 2019 campaign continued on Tuesday as they fell to a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur. The loss has left the Bengaluru franchise with zero points to show for from their four games so far.

    Speaking after the defeat, a disappointed Kohli said, “This tournament is not that long.”

    “It’s not going to go on for months. This is a month-and-a-half or a couple of months maximum. You have to be on the eight ball. You have to think on your feet. You have to think of the best possible combination going forward. We will definitely sit down and consider talking about what we can do. What can we do to get the balance right.

    “Hopefully get some fresh guys in and they can make some cracking match-winning performances for us and get the team going. That’s an important factor: to think on our feet. Not necessarily worry about the other stuff. Just focus on the best XI we can take on the park and be competitive every game.”

    Virat Kohli was clean bowled. Image: BCCI/SPORTZPICS.

    Virat Kohli was clean bowled. Image: BCCI/SPORTZPICS.

    The Royal Challengers are yet to win an IPL title despite having a star-studded line up over the years and that drought looks set to continue given the start to their 2019 campaign.

    While his side are firmly rooted to the bottom of the eight-team table, Kohli insists that they can still make a late charge to the play-offs.

    “We have 10 games to go. If we start turning things around pretty soon, then we can get on a roll as well. We have to keep believing as a side. Just four games in, we would have liked one result our way if not two,” the Bangalore skipper said.

    “The Mumbai game and this one, I thought we played well. We just didn’t grab onto our chances, we will like to improve our performance and take a bit of confidence that we were a bit more competitive than the last game.”

    Kohli and his men will now take on Kolkata Knight Riders at home in their next IPL 2019 clash which takes place on Friday.

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