Virat Kohli’s astounding consistency with the bat is highly unlikely to be replicated in the IPL anytime soon. However, the 27-year old’s tireless efforts were not enough to lead his side to the title.
Looking back on the Royal Challengers’ performance during the final, legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar offered an interesting explanation for their narrow loss to the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Speaking to NDTV, the former Indian skipper believed that Kohli’s near miss was comparable to a batsman falling short a major milestone.
Gavaskar felt, “This is what happens – batsmen get to 99 , they bat brilliantly and don't get that one run to get the 100. Batsmen get to 199 and don't get that one run to score a double hundred. This (defeat) is somewhat like that.”
Maintaining that cricket was always a great leveler, the Mumbaikar asserted , “Virat has done everything as a batsman as a captain, but that little bit extra which would have given him the Cup wasn't to be.”
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Coming into the IPL without a T20 hundred, Kohli reached the triple figure mark as many as four times en route to his compilation of 973 runs in the season. He was named ‘Most Valuable Player’ for his unprecedented exploits.
Despite taking the defeat in an admirable manner, the star batsman was visibly disappointed at not clinching the championship for his side. But, Gavaskar affirmed that the entire tournament was a good learning experience for Kohli and the star batsman could soon lift the IPL trophy.
Expressing his support for the modern-day icon, the stalwart enthused, “Virat would have learnt a lot as a batsman, as a captain. It's a big step forward for him. Don't be surprised if RCB win the trophy sooner than later.”
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