Kohli and a season to forget with a bag full of unwanted records

 Virat Kohli, India's most accomplished batter, with more than 10,000 runs under his belt in limited-overs formats, has an average of just 19.67 in the much-awaited comeback season of Indian Premier League 2022. After relinquishing the T20 Captaincy from both the national and IPL teams, fans were excited to watch their favorite aggressive man Kohli back smoking fire. But luck just doesn't seem to support him enough no matter how hard you try. That has been the story of Virat Kohli this season.

The lean patch continues.

In continuation of his struggles in international matches, in 13 matches played by King Kohli in IPL 2022, he has managed to score a half-century only once but got three golden ducks. But luck hasn't been with him, which landed him with all the unfortunate wickets. His average of 19.67 is the lowest for him since the 2008 season. One of the major factors contributing to the underperformance is how all kinds of bowlers have found him out. Further, whenever he is set at the crease, a great ball has brought an end to his innings, or his tentativeness casts the downfall.

Kohli tried his luck to regain form by opening for Royal Challengers Bangalore after a barren run at No. 3. After Kohli's first-ball duck in the tournament, former India head coach Ravi Shastri suggested that the former national team skipper take a break from competitive cricket.

Management backing King Kohli

In a virtual press conference, Mike Hesson, RCB's director of cricket, stated, "We are always talking with all of our players. I thought Virat looked in good touch today, he was aggressive, and he is doing everything off the park in terms of preparing well. I thought today was going to be his day but once again, it hit the other side of his thigh pad. He hasn't had a good fortune, especially when he has got himself set, he is frustrated as anybody, thought today was going to be his day".

In the last clash against Punjab Kings, Virat Kohli became the first-ever player to have scored 6500 runs in the history of the Indian Premier League. Virat Kohli, whenever he takes the field, every fan feels that this could be the match he goes big with the kind of shots he plays. Those superbly timed into the gap, where all fielders are even just spectators, are being missed. With his ability to turn things around quickly in his favor, his fans remain hopeful that the change will come soon for Bangalore in the form of Virat Kohli's swashbuckling performance.

"We wanted him to get in straight away so that he doesn't sit on the sidelines and think about the game. He is a great player and we still back him to turn it around and hopefully, it's around the corner. It's a game of confidence," said RCB skipper Faf du Plessis.

Virat Kohli's tally of runs in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League stands at 236 from 13 games. Three golden ducks, three single-digit scores, and just one score above 50 is not something that you associate with someone of Kohli's caliber. But fortunately for him, as a team, RCB is doing alright in the IPL 2022. Currently, they are perched on the 4th slot on the table with 14 points from 13 matches and are still fighting to qualify for playoffs.