Former India cricket team batsman Aakash Chopra opened up about Virat Kohli’s knockout win against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 on Friday ( Kolkata Knight Riders, a cheeky dig at Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli scored his second consecutive half-century in the match but it was not enough as the RCB bowling attack came under pressure from the explosive knocks of Sunil Narine and Venkatesh Iyer Hobbling. Chopra pointed out that while Kohli completed 59 deliveries and scored 83 runs, KKR got off to a stunning start in the powerplay and ended up scoring 83 runs in 5.5 overs.

“When Sunil Narine opened the innings, the template was absolutely clear – ‘Either me or you are not going to stay’. He was batting that way, trying to hit sixes. Everyone knew it You need to hit bouncers and yorkers repeatedly but if you don’t succeed, like Bangalore didn’t win in their first six games, he takes the game out of your grasp,” he said on YouTube said in the analysis.

“Phil Salter was also with him. Phil Salter scored 18 runs in the first game. He was outstanding. In context, the opposing team bowled well but Kohli bowled 59 balls to reach 83 while Kolkata have scored 85 in 5.5 overs. Be it Alzari Joseph, Mohammad Siraj or Yash Dayal, everyone has taken a lot of hits,” the former India cricketer said the ball player added.

Chopra was also full of praise for KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir, praising some of his moves like Narine’s opening batting and getting Andre Russell Russell as the winning pitcher.

“I feel Gautam has given them a lot of confidence. Sunil Narine’s opening has the stamp of Gautam Gambhir. Andre Russell ) The bowling at the death also had a bit of Gautam Gambhir’s stamp on it. He gave them a bit of power and so did Venkatesh Iyer. He has been given the mandate to bowl four and Six-ball ability,” Chopra explained.