Former RCB coach believes that Virat Kohli backed wrong players at wrong times which might have cost them the trophy in initial years

Virat Kohli is one of the best batsmen in the world and also one of the most successful captains India have had. Even though he hs steered the Indian camp to major victories he has been unable to do the same for RCB.

Virat Kohli is one of the best batsmen in the world and also one of the most successful captains India have had. Even though he hs steered the Indian camp to major victories he has been unable to do the same for RCB. The franchise’s former coach Ray Jennings in an interview explained what the reasons for the same could be. He believes that the cricketing great at times backed the wrong players which might have hurt RCB’s chances in the previous editions.

Jennings coached the team from 2009 to 2014 and said he wanted some players to play a particular role but kohl wanted otherwise. Jennings, under whom RCB saw their best years, reaching the finals of the tournament twice, explained how leading an IPL side could be so much different.

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“If I have to look back then I would say that in IPL there used to be 25-30 players (in the squad) and it was the coach’s duty to look after all the players. Sometimes he was a bit of a loner in the team. Sometimes, he backed the wrong players. But, you can’t blame him for that. I wanted certain players to bowl or bat in certain conditions/situations but he had different ideas,” Jennings told Cricket.com.

“We shouldn’t forget IPL is a game of small margins. He has made it to the semi-finals (playoffs) and final and he will definitely achieve a lot more success in the coming years. Sometimes, criticism is that he doesn’t enjoy time with the players. But, I can understand that since a captain has a lot on his plate. Also, the auction is a very important factor (in the team’s performance),” he said.

The proteas player was all praise for Kohli and believed that his best years are yet to come. “Virat Kohli has always been an unbelievable cricket brain. He sets very high standards (for himself) and we went along despite one or two problems. You needed somebody around Virat to guide him (at that point in time). Of course, he and I bumped a few times but he is a good guy and a very quick learner. Nice to see him grow as a player and now as a captain. His mannerism is great. His best is yet to come,” Jennings said.