Virat Kohli is known as the ‘Chase Master’ due to his immaculate record in run chases. Regardless of the format, he is one of the best chasers in cricket’s history, as proven by his statistics.
In the shortest format, Kohli has 18 not-outs in victorious chases in men’s T20Is, which he equals with Shoaib Malik. He has 1,621 runs in 36 successful T20I chases, including 16 half-centuries, 11 of which are undefeated.
He averages 518 in successful run chases at T20 World Cups. The Royal Challengers Bangalore player has seven fifties in nine successful T20 World Cup run chases and has only been dismissed once.
When it comes to chasing totals, he is without a doubt the master. Yet, here are three instances in the IPL where Virat Kohli failed in run chases against KKR:
1) IPL 2017, Eden Gardens
This is one of those games that every RCB supporter wishes they could forget. In 2017, Bangalore were knocked out for 49 runs while chasing a meagre score of 132 runs at Eden Gardens, the lowest total in IPL history.
The record holds to this day, and it is one of the few times that the former RCB skipper has failed to produce in a run chase. He was out for a golden duck in the first over before his team was hustled out in an unflattering way.
2) IPL 2012, Eden Gardens
In a somewhat challenging run chase in 2012, Bangalore was set a target of 191 runs thanks to KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir’s blazing 93 in the first innings. In response, the visitors fell far short of the goal, handing the hosts a comfortable 47-run win.
Chris Gayle was the only RCB player to play a lone hand in the game, hitting 86 off 58 balls. The West Indies batter did not receive enough help from the other end in such a huge run chase, with Tillakaratne Dilshan removed for one in the opening over.
Kohli failed to contribute at number three, batting a 19-ball 18 before being bowled. That was not only a slow knock by his high standards, but it did not help his team as they stumbled to a disappointing loss.
3) IPL 2022, Chinnaswamy Stadium
This run chase was especially disappointing given that Chinnaswamy is often considered as a chasing venue. RCB failed to reach a goal of 201 against KKR at their home stadium, falling short in a close encounter.
Kohli got off to a fast start before being removed for 54 runs in 37 balls. With the ‘Chase Master’ opening the batting in this event, the stage was set for a great chase. However, things quickly unravelled as the Kolkata spinners spun a web around the home team.
The RCB innings came crashing down when Kohli fell in the 13th over, with the team at 115. They ultimately managed 179 runs after 20 overs and lost the game by 21 runs.