Published 21:58 IST, October 15th 2020
Virat Kohli slammed by netizens for making Washington Sundar bat ahead of AB de Villiers
Virat Kohli's ploy of sending left-hander Washington Sundar ahead of AB de Villiers to counter-attack leg spinners, has not go down well with fans.
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The Bangalore and Punjab side clashed for the second time in the 13th edition of Dream11 IPL. While Virat Kohli and co. have a significantly more successful campaign compared to their counterparts, Punjab had decimated the Bangalore side earlier in the competition. It was fascinating to see both teams being proactive in their decision making in an attempt to go one up above their opposition.
Fans blast Virat Kohli for promoting Washington Sundar ahead of AB de Villiers
Considering Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers' woes against leg-spin, the Punjab think tank accommodated Murgun Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi in their line-up to contain the run flow. Virat Kohli counter-attacked with a strategy of his own as he held back AB de Villiers. The Bangalore skipper promoted Washington Sundar to the No.4 position to take on the wrist spinners, but the ploy backfired as Washington Sundar failed to up to ante and was dismissed cheaply. Virat Kohli's decision irked the fans as they vented out their anger on Twitter.
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Washington Sundar, who was sent ahead of AB de Villiers to tackle the leg spinner, eventually perished to Murugan Ashwin's wrong 'un after he tried to slog him over the cow corner. Washington Sundar could only manage a paltry score of 13 from his 14-ball stay at the crease. In an attempt to catch up with the run-rate, Washington Sundar tried to heave Ashwin's delivery through the leg side where he got the elevation but failed to get enough distance on it and was ultimately caught.
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AB de Villiers was nowhere to be seen even after Washington Sundar's wicket as Virat Kohli backed his strategy of using a left-handed batsman against the wrist spinners. Shivam Dube walked in to bat next also was not comfortable early on in his innings. It was only after the second strategic time-out that Virat Kohli's plan paid dividends as Shivam Dube smoked back-to-back sixes to Ravi Bishnoi in the 15th over.
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Veteran batsman AB de Villiers, who was in blistering form when the franchise last played at the venue in Dream11 IPL 2020, could not replicate the same success this time around. AB de Villiers had a short stay at the crease and could only manage 2 runs from 5 deliveries. A fiery cameo from Chris Morris towards the end helped the side post a target of 172 for the Punjab team.
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Source: IPL / Twitter
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21:58 IST, October 15th 2020