KKR vs RCB, IPL 2021: Virat Kohli Blames 'Poor Batting' For Loss — Here's What He Said

Kolkata vs Bangalore: RCB suffered a humiliating nine-wicket defeat at the hands of Kolkata in the IPL. Virat Kohli said we needed to build some good partnerships in the match. 

New Delhi: Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) performed poorly in their showdown against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2021 as the team collapsed on an embarrassing score of 92 runs.

KKR chased the target by losing only a wicket. After the match, RCB captain Virat Kohli blamed "poor batting" for this defeat. 

"It was very important to build a good partnership. We didn't expect that fog will come on the field so soon. We were in good condition with 42 runs for the loss of one wicket but suddenly we lost five wickets in a span of 20 runs. This defeat has made us more cautious. This has happened at the beginning of the second phase of the IPL, so we can correct our mistakes for the next matches," Virat said after the match.

'Making Excuses Won't Work' 

"We are not making any excuses for this defeat," said Kohli, who has announced to quit the RCB captaincy after the second phase of the IPL.

"As a professional player, you are expected to adjust to the situation as soon as you can and adjust your game accordingly. Sometimes it takes you a match to set in the tournament, I hope we get better by the next match. You need to constantly move forward with the game, otherwise, the rest of the teams will go a long way from you," he said.

Virat On Varun Chakravarthy 

Virat also heaped praise on KKR's mystery bowler Varun Chakravarthy's performance. Virat said, "Varun bowled superb in today's match. He can prove to be an important factor when he will play for India. He will soon play for India as well and his today's performance is a good sign for the team." 

Kohli also said, "We are disappointed with today's defeat but it is part of the game. We need to be professional. Working on our strengths we have to get off with better strategy in the matches ahead. We have won 5 of the 8 matches. I have full faith in my squad and we will perform amazingly in the next match."

KKR bowled brilliantly by Andre Russell (three for nine) and Varun Chakravarthy (3 for 13) to put RCB on 92 in 19 overs. Lockie Ferguson also took two wickets for 24 runs. Apart from opener Devdutt Padikkal (22), no RCB batsman crossed the 20-run mark.

Skipper Kohli was dismissed for five, while the team's star batsman AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell could not do well.