IPL 2020: Ashish Nehra suggests RCB captain Virat Kohli should open the batting in playoffs

Nehra is aware of Kohli's struggles in the middle overs which leads to trouble for his team.

Virat Kohli | IANS

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) saw a decline in performance in the second half of the tournament. After winning 5 out of their first seven matches, RCB were the worst performers in the second half of the tournament.

The Virat Kohli-led side could only manage only 2 wins in 7 matches, but despite four consecutive losses, they qualified for the playoffs because of a better run-rate than Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Now they will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the eliminator and there won't be a second chance for them.

Former RCB coach Ashish Nehra has advised Virat to open for his team in playoffs. He hasn't been in good touch and his game in the middle-overs has been heavily criticized. Kohli was dismissed by R Ashwin in the clash against Delhi Capitals (DC) after scoring 29 off 24 deliveries. 

ALSO READ: IPL 2020: ‘RCB have played good enough cricket to earn a qualification spot’, says Virat Kohli

“There was a lot of pressure on Virat Kohli, considering the conditions. It was not easy to hit Ravichandran Ashwin and Akshar Patel, who does not go for wickets that much but does not allow you to score runs easily. You need to appreciate the Delhi Capitals for not giving any chance to the RCB captain”, Nehra said in the commentary box.

Nehra wants Kohli to change his role and join Devdutt Padikkal for the opening spot in absence of Aaron Finch. “But in the upcoming encounters if you don’t want to play Aaron Finch, then I feel Kohli should come as the opening batsman in this team,” he said.

RCB managed seven points overall after the end of league matches in IPL 2020. Their qualification was ensured after DC didn't chase the target against them inside 17.3 overs. It pushed KKR below RCB and after SRH's win over Mumbai Indians, the Eoin Morgan-led side got eliminated. 

 
 

By - 04 Nov, 2020

    Share Via