IPL: Presenting recent stats of RCB captain Virat Kohli (2018-2020)
What's the story
Royal Challengers Bangalore are set to take on Kolkata Knight Riders in the afternoon game of Sunday's double-header in the IPL 2021. RCB skipper Virat Kohli, who fares well against KKR, would want to make an impact today. In the two games so far, he has got ideal starts, but failed to convert them into big scores. Let us analyze his recent stats (2018-2020).
Consistency
Kohli hasn't been at his best since 2016
Kohli is presently the leading run-scorer in the IPL, having amassed 5,944 runs at an average of 38.10. His was at his best in the 2016 season, wherein he racked up a record-breaking 973 runs. However, he hasn't touched his prime thereafter. From IPL 2017 to 2020, Kohli managed to score 1,768 runs (308, 530, 464, and 466).
2018
Kohli was RCB's leading run-scorer in 2018
After faring poorly in 2017, Kohli bounced back with the bat a season later. He finished with most runs for RCB in 2018, having aggregated 530 from 14 games. Kohli averaged 48.18, and recorded a strike-rate of 139.11. He smashed 52 fours and 18 sixes. However, the RCB finished at number six, claiming as many wins and 12 points.
2019
Kohli topped RCB's runs tally in 2019 too
The graph of RCB plunged further in 2019. They were bundled out for mere 70 in their opener against CSK, and eventually finished last this time. However, Kohli once again topped the batting charts for RCB. He hammered 464 runs from 14 games at an average of 33.14. Kohli improved his strike rate to 141.46, having slammed his fifth ton and two half-centuries.
2020
Kohli averaged 42.36 in IPL 2020
Following the COVID-enforced break in 2020, Kohli started off with a string of low scores. However, he gained rhythm as the tournament progressed. Kohli led from the front as RCB qualified for their first playoffs since the 2016 edition. He tallied 466 runs from 15 games at a remarkable average of 42.36, second-most runs for RCB in that season.