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Virat Kohli's Back-to-Back Ducks: Can He Bounce Back vs KKR?
13 May 2026, 12:15 pm
The Ducks That Everyone Is Talking About
Virat Kohli has not scored a single run in his last two innings in IPL 2026. Two consecutive ducks, in back-to-back matches, is the kind of form dip that raises eyebrows for any batter in world cricket. For Kohli specifically, whose consistency has been a defining feature of his career, the questions are coming fast. He faces a significant opportunity to answer them tonight when RCB take on KKR at Raipur.
The Numbers Still Tell a Good Story Overall
Before those two dismissals, Kohli had been batting with purpose this season. His tally of 379 runs from 11 innings is solid for an IPL campaign, and his ability to build innings at the top of the order remains crucial to how RCB construct their batting. The ducks are an anomaly rather than a trend, but the timing is uncomfortable heading into the business end of the tournament.
The Raipur Pitch as a Factor
The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur plays slow and low, which makes the early phase particularly challenging for batters. The ball tends to do enough off the surface to beat the edge, and any opener who plays an expansive shot in the first three overs takes a real risk. Kohli's technique and experience mean he is capable of navigating that phase, but KKR's bowlers, particularly Varun Chakravarthy on this surface, will be targeting him hard.
Why Tonight Matters
RCB need this win to get close to sealing their playoff spot. If Kohli fires at the top, RCB's batting depth allows them to set or chase any total. If he departs cheaply again, the pressure on the rest of the lineup grows sharply. Rajat Patidar and Tim David will need to carry more weight. The cricket world is watching, and Kohli tends to deliver when the stage is biggest.
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