Changing batting order not advisable: Virat

BANGALORE: Royal Challengers Bangalore top-order batsman Virat Kohli felt it's better for the team not to tinker with its batting order despite the predictability factor.
"We changed the batting order twice, sending the pinch hitter at No. 3. We won the Kochi game with the normal batting and we got 50 runs in the first six overs.
In the Mumbai game, we played bad shots and that's why we messed up the game.There is no point changing the batting order for the opposition because that way you spoil the plans of your own batsmen. We decided to stick to the same batting order because that way our batsmen can plan better which is much important than about what other teams are planning for us. We should be good enough to tackle the plans of opposition," reasoned the RCB No. 3.
Kohli, the only player retained by RCB ahead of IPL 4 auction, said the team was dependent a lot on top four, which was the ideal way to go. "If you see the top four, it is Dilshan, Chris, me and AB. We are international cricketers and obviously the team would look up to us.
It is important for us to score for the team to do well. If you don't lay the platform for the guys coming down the order, it is really difficult. You need really an amazing innings if you lose three early wickets. For the teams that are stronger at the top of the order, it is important for the top order to perform in every match," said the Delhi youngster.
The right-hander also added that the team would be looking to boost the net run-rate, which could play a crucial role in case of a photo-finish for the play-offs. "In the last two games, we have tried to play aggressively because net run-rate is important.
In the Kolkata game, we won by nine wickets with five balls to spare. In the last match also we got to a good start. Had I and AB de Villiers were there at the crease, we could have won with three overs to spare. Whenever there is an opportunity on offer, say seven wickets remaining and 30 to win from six overs, we will try to finish off things early," stated the World Cup winner.
Bowling looked like RCB's weak link this season, but Kohli was confident that things were falling in place, particularly with the much-improved show in the last game against the Daredevils. "We had restricted Delhi to 160 on a good batting track. Our bowling performance was good. We have faltered with the bat in two-three games.
In batting, if the lower-order batsmen get going, it won't look that bad. But in bowling, if you start giving away runs, it just spreads and it is really difficult to contain the runs. Arvind and Syed Mohammed bowled really well in the last two games. A good bowling combination is being built up and we working on more plans for the upcoming matches," remarked Kohli.