IPL 2025: Rangarajan on Kohli's Strategy Against Bowlers
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Synopsis
In IPL 2025, Malolan Rangarajan, spin coach for RCB, emphasizes that Virat Kohli's success against left-arm spinners stems from his tactical approach to handling bowlers. Kohli's impressive stats and the team's collective effort have contributed to their performance this season, creating optimism for the second half of the tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Virat Kohli is adapting strategically against left-arm spinners.
- RCB's team effort is key to improved performance.
- Devdutt Padikkal's resurgence adds strength to RCB.
- Rajat Patidar's leadership is notable this season.
- Optimism is high for RCB in the second half of IPL 2025.
New Delhi, April 26 (NationPress) Malolan Rangarajan, the spin bowling coach for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), asserts that the extraordinary performance of Virat Kohli against left-arm spinners in IPL 2025 is attributed to his strategic decision on how to handle specific bowlers.
Kohli currently ranks as the second highest run-scorer of the season, amassing 392 runs across nine matches. Notably, his strike rate against left-arm spinners is an impressive 142.42, a significant improvement from previous seasons.
The upcoming match between RCB and the second-placed Delhi Capitals (DC) at Arun Jaitley Stadium will put Kohli’s encounters with Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav under scrutiny. Rangarajan stated, “I will divide this into two parts - first, it wasn’t just Virat last season who struggled with his strike rate; the entire team faced similar challenges.”
“The team collectively recognized their shortcomings and was candid about them. You’ve likely heard us mention our honesty in discussions, and that was indeed the case. That covers the first part,” he elaborated.
“Secondly, regarding Virat Kohli as an individual, he doesn’t need extra practice against left-arm spinners. With 20-25 years of experience, he’s a phenomenal player. He just needs to determine his approach against each bowler,” Rangarajan emphasized.
“It’s clear that despite his extensive career, Virat remains eager to discover what more he can achieve, which I find remarkable - the mindset he brings to every training and match,” Rangarajan remarked during the pre-match conference.
Further discussing Kohli’s improved performance against left-arm spinners, Rangarajan continued, “I don’t believe Virat changed anything drastically or practiced specifically against left-arm spin. It was merely the team coming together and acknowledging our past inadequacies. This year, we haven’t needed to have such discussions. We understand our capabilities.”
“As I mentioned earlier, we’ve been preparing for this crucial phase of the tournament for some time - the latter half. There’s a palpable sense of optimism within the group and among the staff, which I believe is beneficial for both Virat and the team,” he added.
Another noteworthy aspect of RCB’s batting this season has been the resurgence of Devdutt Padikkal as a strong number three batter, effectively bridging the gap between the openers and the middle order. Padikkal has scored 230 runs thus far, boasting an impressive strike rate of 156.46, well above his IPL career average of 126.61.
“During his previous stint with RCB, Devdutt had two outstanding years, nearing 500 runs. His recent form with RR and LSG has been unfortunate. However, during the auction, we were specifically looking for a left-handed batsman, and Dev conveniently became available for us on day two,” Rangarajan explained.
“I won’t obscure the fact that we didn’t pursue him right away - we secured him on day two. But having worked with him previously, along with several players, including Virat, who has batted alongside him, gave us confidence in picking him up later,” Rangarajan noted.
He praised Padikkal for embracing the improvements suggested by batting coach Dinesh Karthik and head coach Andy Flower. “Moreover, the effort he’s put in is crucial. He has shown a strong desire to improve and has been very receptive to the technical and tactical advice from DK and Andy,” he added.
“Ultimately, his performance has been commendable, even in challenging situations and conditions. He has faced these challenges head-on, and I couldn’t be happier for him. Even if I set aside my RCB cap, I know him well and am genuinely pleased for his success. However, this is just nine games in; the decisive part of the tournament is still ahead, and we remain optimistic for both Dev and the team,” concluded Rangarajan.
Captain Rajat Patidar has scored 222 runs so far, but it’s his leadership that has drawn attention. His management of bowlers, particularly Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, has been commendable, as demonstrated by their contribution to thwarting Rajasthan Royals’ chase of 206.
“Rajat Patidar has been entrusted with leading a significant franchise. Many held differing views, yet management and staff chose someone they envisioned a future with. He has performed exceptionally well,” Rangarajan stated.
“In every match he has captained, regardless of the pressure, he has maintained composure and clarity in his decisions. His strategic rotation of bowlers showcases his capabilities this year, and we hope he sustains this form in the latter half of the tournament,” Rangarajan concluded.
