Virat Kohli explains why Chris Gayle and Sarfaraz Khan are not being picked in RCB playing XI

RCB captain Virat Kohli’s record-breaking form continued on Saturday, his 58-ball 108, his 2nd century of the season, guiding RCB to chase down Pune’s score of 181. He took the opportunity of the press conference after the victory to set some records straight – contrary to rumours that Chris Gayle and Sarfaraz Khan have picked up injuries, both have been dropped from the team, Kohli clarified.

He lauded Australian Shane Watson’s efforts for Bangalore as having trumped his contributions for all his previous IPL teams. Replying to a query on Gayle, Kohli said, “He wasn't rested. We chose Travis Head in place of him because we felt that we needed more solidity in the middle.”

World basher Gayle has not been at his best in the current IPL season, managing scores of 1,0 and 7. New recruit Travis Head was impressive in the one opportunity that he had been given previously, and was taken in Gayle’s place on Saturday. Head’s part-time bowling abilities also put him in good stead.

Kohli indicated that his team are likely to stick to the opening partnership between him and KL Rahul.

“Travis strikes the ball really well and KL (Rahul) and me are opening well for the team, and Travis can bowl off-spin as well in the middle if need be. Also, Travis was brought in as Pune boasted of three left-handed batsmen,” he explained.

Sarfaraz needs to work on fielding and fitness: Kohli

The other big question surrounding RCB’s team selection has been about the exclusion of youngster Sarfaraz Khan. Having been dropped from the team after the first five matches, it was initially being speculated that he had picked up a niggle.

However, as Kohli explained on Saturday, his below-par fielding is what is keeping him out of the team. He is touted to emulate Sachin Tendulkar one day, but for now, his place has been taken by Kerala’s Sachin Baby, the better fielder.

Kohli said,"Sarfaraz understands the areas in which he needs to work on as far as the fitness and fielding part is concerned. You can't afford to have too many guys in the field who are not up to the mark with their fielding because the outfield here is lightning quick.

"I think Sachin is in that aspect is very committed and he is fit and he works on those things. Me as captain, I want to have a guy who gives 120 per cent on the field and saves some crucial five to six runs.”

Sarfaraz was a batting star in the U-19 World Cup earlier this year, alongside Delhi Daredevils’ Rishabh Pant, who has sealed his place in his team’s first choice XI. However, Sarfaraz’s batting position down the order means that he would only get very few balls to play every match, thus nullifying his edge over Kerala’s Baby.

Sarfaraz might be the better batsman, but until he pulls up his fielding socks, his ambitions of making it to the India team for the Zimbabwe tour must remain a distant dream.