Harbhajan Singh (former Indian off-spinner) urges Royal Challengers Bengaluru to bring forth Virat Kohli as their captain in the next IPL edition. Even having won 5 games at a stretch, RCB could be kicked off the playoffs anytime soon if they lose their next game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Harbhajan Singh’s comparison between Virat Kohli‘s impact on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and MS Dhoni’s influence on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) speaks volumes about the leadership and playing style of both cricketers. Kohli’s aggressive approach on the field aligns well with RCB’s brand of cricket, which has often been characterized by flair and attacking gameplay. Much like Dhoni’s calm and calculated demeanor at CSK, Kohli’s passionate and intense presence can indeed galvanize RCB to strive for its elusive IPL trophy.
Virat Kohli is a big leader- Harbhajan Singh
While having a conversation on Star Sports Press Room, this is what Harbhajan Singh mentioned about the idea of having Virat Kohli as RCB’s captain in the next IPL edition:
“Why not bring Virat Kohli back as captain? As Dhoni has a lot of impact in Chennai, Virat Kohli is a big leader, he knows the kind of cricket they need to play. Now they are playing with a lot of intent and that is what Virat Kohli brings. I would like to see Virat Kohli leading the side forward,”
Harbhajan’s observation about having an Indian player as captain to open up overseas slots makes sense from a strategic perspective, especially in leagues like the IPL where teams have a limited number of overseas players they can field. By having an Indian captain, teams can utilize their overseas slots for key positions such as batsmen, bowlers, or all-rounders who bring significant value to the team. Faf du Plessis was not in his best form during the first half of this season, which in turn resulted in seven losses out of eight games.
Harbhajan Singh on MS Dhoni’s impact
Harbhajan Singh’s perspective is interesting. It seems he acknowledges Dhoni’s capability to make an impact even if he’s batting lower in the order. Perhaps he sees Dhoni’s role as more than just scoring runs quickly. Dhoni’s experience and strategic acumen might be vital in guiding the team, especially in crunch situations. Plus, his ability to finish games effectively is well-known.
So, even if he’s not batting at the top, he can still influence the game significantly. It’s a testament to Dhoni’s versatility and the trust the team has in him. He reckoned Dhoni’s outstanding minor role, scoring 20* off 4 deliveries against the Mumbai Indians (MI) and told:
“I still believe that Dhoni has a lot of impact. The game at Wankhede he scored 20 odd runs and that was the difference in the end. What else do you need, his guidance, he delivers when it matters the most,”
Both RCB and CSK will be facing each other at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18.