RCB should look for a new captain: Gautam Gambhir
Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir believes Royal Challengers Bangalore should look for a new captain as he slammed Virat Kohli's captaincy. His statement comes after RCB were knocked out of the IPL 2020, losing the eliminator to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Speaking on ESPN's show T20 Time Out, Gambhir said it was time Kohli put his hand up and took the responsibility for dismal results.
How did the match pan out?
RCB were restricted to 131/7 after SRH invited them to bat in Abu Dhabi. Despite opening the innings, skipper Kohli still failed to deliver the goods. While the batting line-up perished, the likes of Aaron Finch (32) and AB de Villiers (56) saved the sinking ship. In reply, SRH were powered to victory by Kane Williamson's emphatic knock (50* off 44).
The plight of RCB doesn't seem to improve
Kohli was appointed the captain of RCB in 2013. Under him, the Royal Challengers have made the playoffs thrice in eight seasons (2015, 2016 and 2020). Since finishing as runners-up in 2016, they have ended at the bottom in two of the last three seasons (2019 and 2017). This time, they broke into the playoffs after losing four consecutive games.
A captain needs to take accountability: Gambhir
Speaking on the same, Gambhir questioned Kohli's accountability. "The problem is about accountability. Eight years into the tournament without a trophy," said Gambhir. "Tell me any other captain, tell me any other player who would have got eight years and wouldn't have won the title and would have still continued with it. So it has to be accountability. A captain needs to take accountability."
How RCB have fared under Kohli
Gambhir also stated the difference between Kohli's captaincy for Team India and RCB. He believes the real test for Kohli is to carry the integrity. Notably, RCB have registered more defeats than victories in the leadership of Kohli. Under him, they have won 55 out of 125 games, losing 63 with a win percentage of 46.69, so far.
'There shouldn't be different yardsticks'
"Dhoni has won three titles, Rohit has won four, and that's the reason they've captained for such a long time. I'm sure if Rohit wouldn't have delivered for eight years, he would have been removed. There shouldn't be different yardsticks for different people," he added.
RCB's quest for a maiden IPL title continues
Although RCB were off to a terrific start in IPL 2020, they lost their track eventually. Their reliance on Kohli (466) and de Villiers (454) continued this time as well. However, one of the positives was the 20-year-old opener Devdutt Padikkal, who finished as their leading run-scorer (473). Meanwhile, just like every season, RCB's quest for a maiden IPL title is still not over.
