DUBAI: The knives are out and critics are baying for Virat Kohli's blood.

In a pre-season conversation with the media, head coach Simon Katich and director Mike Hesson said that Royal Challengers Bangalore had a 'balanced' side and the potential and run the distance in the Indian Premier League in UAE.

On Friday night in Abu Dhabi, RCB were knocked out by Sunrisers Hyderabad. In a low-scoring match, Kohli's team paid the price for batting lapses and lost by six wickets.

Former Kolkata Knight Riders captain and Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir said it was time for Kohli to go as captain. "For eight years, Kohli has won nothing ... he needs to take accountability," Gambhir said in ESPNCricinfo.

RCB were on cruise mode in the first half of IPL 2020. The 'balance' was working fine as Royal Challengers Bangalore found a young performing opener in Devdutt Padikkal.

AB de Villiers found his scoring touch, Virat Kohli overturned a poor start to stitch some match-winning performances, Yuzvendra Chahal was spinning magic and then all-rounder Chris Morris returned from injury to add muscle to the lower middle order.

Three teams -- RCB, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals -- looked the most dominant sides. But then the script changed dramatically.

LUCKY BREAK:

In the business end of the IPL league stage, when the playoff spots were up for grabs, RCB hit a horror patch. They were lucky to make the last-four stage. Sunrisers Hyderabad finished No. 3 after a 10-wicket win against Mumbai Indians. David Warner's side was suddenly looking very good.