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Kohli Dropped in Chase, KKR Coach Admits Costly Mistake

KKR coach Abhishek Nayar admitted dropping Virat Kohli during his chase proved costly as RCB won by six wickets in Raipur. Kohli, dropped on 21, scored an unbeaten 105 to lead RCB to the top of the IPL points table. Angkrish Raghuvanshi had earlier anchored KKR to 192/4 with a steady 71. Nayar also noted the absence of mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy left a significant hole in KKR's bowling attack.

Key Points: Kohli Dropped in Chase Costs KKR: Nayar

  • KKR drops Kohli early, he scores 105*
  • RCB wins by 6 wickets, tops table
  • Angkrish Raghuvanshi's 71 anchors KKR to 192/4
  • Varun Chakravarthy's absence felt in middle overs
3 min read

When you drop Kohli, especially in a chase, it becomes difficult: KKR coach Nayar

KKR coach Abhishek Nayar admits dropping Virat Kohli during RCB chase proved costly. Kohli scores 9th IPL century in Raipur win.

"When you drop Virat Kohli, especially in a chase, it becomes very difficult. - Abhishek Nayar"

Raipur, May 14

Following Kolkata Knight Riders' head coach Abhishek Nayar admitted that dropping batting stalwart Virat Kohli during Royal Challengers Bengaluru chase proved to be the turning point in Raipur.

In a clinical display led by Kohli's mastery in yet another run chase, RCB moved to the top of the points table with a commanding six-wicket victory over KKR in Raipur. After Angkrish Raghuvanshi's steady 71 had anchored KKR to a competitive 192/4, it was Kohli's breathtaking unbeaten 105 that took RCB over the line.

Kohli, coming off consecutive ducks, looked in supreme touch from the first delivery. He took on the KKR pace attack with clinical precision; in the process, he was dropped on the score of 21, which proved too costly for KKR as the chase master went on to raise his ninth IPL century.

"When you drop Virat Kohli, especially in a chase, it becomes very difficult," Nayar said after KKR's six-wicket defeat. There are a lot of things that could have been better. Virat's catch was a very tough one. The Angkrish catch, you would expect him to take," Nayar said in the post-match press conference.

The KKR head coach also pointed to the absence of mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, which left a significant hole in the middle overs. "At the end of the day, cricket works like that. If we had another 10-15 runs, maybe the game changes. If those catches are taken, maybe the game changes. If Varun Chakravarthy plays, maybe the game changes," he added.

KKR produced a strong batting display, starting positively at the top before Raghuvanshi took control of the innings with a superb knock. As the innings progressed, Rinku Singh continued his excellent run of form, bringing his trademark finishing brilliance into play, adding the perfect finishing touch alongside Raghuvanshi's innings, helping KKR post an imposing total of 192.

"The pitch was good through and through; anytime there is a bit of rain, the first few overs, you expect the ball to swing and seam a bit, which happened, but I still felt we got enough runs on the board, because midway when we had that discussion, we felt anywhere between 180-200 would be a good score," he said.

As Chakaravarthy was sit out of Thursday game due to niggle, Nayar admitted the KKR continues to miss the wrist spinner control and wicket-taking ability.

"The Varun Chakravarthy part, we have done really well with the Sunny (Narine) and Varun combo, it is unfortunate that we have missed him a lot this season, it is the second time around where he has got a fracture, which is unfortunate for him, but you will always miss a Varun Chakraborty. We know the quality of Sunny and Varun bowling together, so it's hard to replace a Varun," Nayar said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
Honestly, KKR's strategy without Varun Chakravarthy is a big worry. He and Sunil Narine are like the yin and yang of their spin attack. Missing him for the second time this season is not just bad luck—it's a pattern. They need a backup plan, yaar. Raghuvanshi's 71 was brilliant, but without that wicket-taking spinner, the middle overs became a nightmare.
J
James A
Cricket is a game of fine margins, and this match proved it. Kohli's drop at 21, Angkrish's missed catch—these small moments swung the game. KKR's 192 was competitive, but in T20s, you can't afford to let a player like Kohli off the hook. RCB's chase was clinical, but credit to KKR for posting a strong total despite their spin woes.
P
Priya S
Nayar is being very gracious in defeat, but it's clear KKR's bowling lacks bite without Chakravarthy. The track was good, the batting clicked, but the bowling unit crumbled under pressure. Kohli was in beast mode—unplayable! His finishing was top-class, and RCB deserved to top the table. KKR need to sort their spin backup quickly.
M
Michael C
Respect to Nayar for his honest analysis. Dropping Kohli is always a mistake, but that catch was genuinely tough—half-chances are hard to take. The bigger issue is the over-reliance on Narine and Chakravarthy. Every team knows KKR's spin twins are their strength, but without one, they're vulnerable. RCB exposed that well.

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