IPL 2018: Virat Kohli wanted to win trophy, not fans; he is winning neither

Before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2018), Royal Challengers Banglore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli had said that he was more after winning the cup than fans. The way RCB has been performing in the ongoing season, it seems that it would be very difficult for them to even retain their existing fan base.

In the 39th match against Surisers Hyderabad, RCB had no other option except winning the match if they had to stay alive in contest. But the outcome was the usual -- RCB lost another important match. RCB losing a match never comes as a surprise, in spite of their star-studded squad or the Opposition they are facing. Somehow, RCB manages to end up on the losing side. Something has to fail, helping opposition walk away with a victory. On Monday, likelwise, RCB managed to bundle out SRH for 146, but while batting they scored only 141, losing by 5 runs.

Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bowl first on a wicket that was not easy to bat on. The RCB bowlers knew that it was a do or die match for them and something special was needed. They lived up to the expectations and made sure SRH batsmen did not pile up a mammoth total. Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Tim Southee and Moeen Ali kept it tight and sent every SRH batsman back to the dug-out. RCB bowlers managing to dismiss all 10 batsmen of an opponent was a huge morale booster for the team. The achievement was itself big enough to encourage any batting line to go and win the game with ease, no matter whether it was a crucial one or just another game.