Former cricketer-turned-pundit Ambati Rayudu once again had a go at Virat Kohli, days after attacking Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for their over-enthusiastic celebrations. Speaking to the host broadcaster after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lifted the trophy, Rayudu said Kohli needed to “ease” his standards to nurture other players in the team. 

The likes of Matthew Hayden and Kevin Pietersen – the other experts in the panel, however, did not agree with Rayudu’s assessment. 

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“When you have a stalwart or a legend like Virat Kohli, who has set really high standards for the best in the game to match. So, it is very-very hard for youngsters to be in a side like Virat Kohli and really try and match his standards because he wants the team to be at that standard,” said Rayudu.

At this point, Pitersen interjected and said: “But it should be good for the youngsters.”

“Yes, absolutely,” Hayden added.

“But sometimes the burden of really trying to be Virat Kohli in a squad where you know,  nobody is going to be Virat Kohli,” Rayudu replied to the duo. 

Quizzed about the emergence of Rajat Patidar who had played his own brand of cricket under Kohli, Rayudu further explained his statement.  

“Patidar can only be a Patidar but not Virat Kohli, and RCB as a management should understand that you can not have 11 Virat Kohli. You need to have one Virat Kohli with 10 others being themselves, have their own identities, have their own strengths and weaknesses and you need to use them well in terms of resources.”

Rayudu slams RCB

Notably, the former Indian cricketer had slammed RCB after the franchise was knocked out of the tournament by Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator. He also clapped back at the franchise for going overboard in its celebrations. 

“If you talk about RCB today, it shows that only passion and aggressive celebrations don’t win you trophies. You need to plan. You didn’t get the IPL trophy just by reaching the playoffs. You have to play with the same hunger,” said Rayudu at the time. 

“Don’t think you will win the IPL trophy just by beating CSK. You will have to come next year once again,” he added. 

The RCB players were criticised as MS Dhoni walked off the pitch without shaking hands with the players who were oblivious and busy celebrating the win. 

Videos on social media showed that Dhoni waited for the RCB players who kept celebrating before making his way to the dressing room without shaking hands.

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