Whenever RCB is in action, the foremost thing to look forward to is, Virat Kohli’s battles against all the opposition bowlers. Similar is the case vs DC too, where the likes of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, and Mohit Sharma could be up against the legend. And it could be bad in the office for them all.
Virat Kohli’s Superior Record vs DC
At least, going by their record, it is not going to be easy against Virat Kohli, for DC, who are yet to lose a single match in IPL 2025. But firstly, what would play on Delhi skipper Axar’s mind is, batter’s superior record at home ground Chinnaswamy Stadium. In 90 matches, he has scored 3047 runs at an average of 40 and a strike-rate of 142.
Just against DC at this venue, his average becomes better at 43, and has even scored three fifties in only 10 matches. Now, let’s talk about their bowlers separately. Starc has been poor against Kohli in IPL so far. In two innings, the Aussie has bowled 19 deliveries at the Indian, forget getting a wicket, he has been hit for 40 runs, including three sixes and three fours. In short, the 36-year-old boasts of a strike-rate of 210 against Starc.
| vs Bowler | Runs | Balls Faced |
| Mitchell Starc | 40 | 19 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 61 | 53 |
| Axar Patel | 78 | 71 |
| Mohit Sharma | 54 | 32 |
| T Natarajan | 90 | 61 |
Starc, Kuldeep, Axar Ineffective Against Kohli
Then in six innings, Kohli averages 61 against Kuldeep. He has scored as many runs, been dismissed only once in 53 deliveries. Skipper Axar hasn’t fared any better. He has bowled 71 deliveries at Kohli, and given away 78 runs, dismissing him only once. The average there is 78.
Pacer T Natarajan could be playing on Thursday, and he has dismissed the batter only once in six innings, while 54 runs have been scored in 32 balls; means a strike rate of over 168 for Kohli. And lastly comes Mohit Sharma, who is yet to dismiss the maestro in all these years. In 12 innings, Kohli has scored 90 runs in 61 balls by him, at a strike-rate of 145.
These numbers just show that DC bowlers should beware of Kohli’s might, that when they are looking to extend their unbeaten run, and RCB are in sublime form too.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
Is Avesh Khan injured? LSG pacer provides update after last-ball scare vs RR
Top Stories
