IPL 2021 is rapidly reaching its conclusion and there are only a few teams left in the fray. Chennai Super Kings has already reached the final. The first playoff saw CSK winning against Delhi Capitals. The second playoff saw Royal Challengers Bangalore squaring off against Kolkata Knight Riders. RCB skipper Virat Kohli made an announcement after the match which shocked and dismayed his fans.
RCB has reached the knockout stage repeatedly and made a bid to win more than once; even reaching the finals once.
Kohli decided to bat but only managed to get to 138 for 7. Kohli made 39 off 33, which was the highest for his team. Sunil Naraine snaffled four wickets.
Sunil Narine was man of the match for his four wickets and for 26 run contribution off 15 balls.
His wickets were vital of course but so were the runs he made in what was a close match. KKR won with just two balls to spare.
The team did not perform to its potential. Top players like Glen Maxwell (15 off 18) and AB de Villiers (11 off 9) were disappointing.
Some fans had issues with some of the umpiring decisions that were taken in the match.
This has been a team that has consistently performed below its potential.
For many of us, it is a mystery why this RCB, with all its star players over the years has never managed to win the trophy.
Another year, another shattered dream for RCB fans.
…And his captaincy. Others feel that it is the RCB franchise that is jinxed and that Kohli would do better elsewhere.
Virat Kohli announced that he is stepping down as skipper; that this was his last match as the captain of RCB. He clarifies that he will continue to be with this franchise however.
Fans and players were both heartbroken at the news.
Fans and other players were moved and sorry to hear about this.
I am not a fan of Kohli’s overt on-field aggression but I am full of admiration at the dignified way he has behaved over the whole captaincy brouhaha. First, there was his stepping down as T20 captain following the controversy about disagreements with the powers that be at the BCCI and the team’s second rung leadership. Then there was RCB continuing to earn that chokers tag having been unable to reach the IPL 2021 final. In both cases, the man has behaved with grace and maturity – and I'm sure crores of Indians wish the man all the best in all that he does after signing off as RCB captain.
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