Kohli Was Impatient vs Punjab, Batted As if It Was A 6-Over Match: Mohammad Kaif

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed his disappointment over Virat Kohli’s failure in the clash against Punjab Kings on April 18 (Friday) after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) talisman perished early dancing down the wicket.

RCB were inserted into bat in a rain-reduced 14-over contest, and Kohli, sensing the need to attack from ball one, lasted just three balls as he hit a bouncer from Arshdeep Singh straight into the hands of Marco Jansen at mid-on. Kohli gave the charge, but a sharp bounce meant that the ball hit his splice and went straight up.

Kaif was critical of Kohli's impatience. He believes Kohli had plenty of time at his disposal, even in a rain-reduced contest.

“84 deliveries in an innings means that there is time. The shot that Virat Kohli hit, stepping forward, trying to strike a six, he usually does not do all of this. If it were a 20-over game, Kohli would have looked to punch that ball, I can tell you that with guarantee," Kaif said on Star Sports, reported News18.

“That was a ball meant to be punched through the point. But because it was a 14-over game, there was the temptation to play a much more attacking brand of cricket. The pitch was damp, the ball was stopping a bit.

“Not only Kohli, but the other batters as well. So, he should have spent some time in the middle, 14 overs is a lot, he must have thought it was a six-over game," Kaif added.

Orange Cap winner in IPL 2024, Kohli has struggled at the Chinnaswamy in IPL 2025, registering scores of 1, 22 & 7. In contrast, away from home, he’s posted scores of 62*, 67, 31 and 59*.