Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag on Saturday (26th March) opined that Virat Kohli should bat at No.3 for RCB in the upcoming IPL 2022. He also cited the example of Sachin Tendulkar to explain the same.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will open their IPL 2022 campaign against Punjab Kings on 27th March in Mumbai. Going into the tournament, the Bengaluru-based franchise will face the challenge of framing their playing XI, especially the opening combination.
While it is almost certain that skipper Faf du Plessis will open the innings for the side, there have been a lot of speculations about his opening partner. Many feel that Virat Kohli should partner the captain at the top while a few say that the no.3 slot is a perfect place for him to bat as he can hold one end if there’s a collapse.
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Kohli mostly has batted at no.3 for RCB except in IPL 2016 and 2021. He had a phenomenal run in 2016 as he scored 973 runs in 16 matches along with 7 half-centuries and 4 centuries while in 2021 he scored 339 runs in 15 innings at 28.9 to go with three half-centuries.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Virender Sehwag suggested that if Faf du Plessis will open the innings for RCB then some other than Virat Kohli should open the innings with the skipper.
He added that although there’s no bigger opening pair than Kohli-Faf, he’s a big fan of former RCB skipper batting at no.3.
“If Faf du Plessis is opening then...another player who can benefit the team as an opener then I would go with that player and then play Virat Kohli at No.3. But if there isn't, which I can clearly see, there aren't any top-level opener who cash in on the powerplay period then Kohli-Faf is the opening pair they should go with. But I'm a big fan if Kohli plays at No.3,” Virender Sehwag said.
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Likening Kohli's aura to Sachin Tendulkar, he said RCB should keep the 33-year-old at no. 3 just to maintain the morale of the team. He reasoned that Kohli getting out early "naturally boosts the confidence of the opposition".
“It is because then he will be under the pressure to score boundaries in the powerplay if he opens and that will make him vulnerable to dismissal and if Kohli gets out early in the innings, it naturally boosts the confidence of the opposition team. Like when Sachin Tendulkar used to come and bat for India.
“If he used to get out in the powerplay then the opposition team would get on top. That's why Kohli should bat at No.3. Then Maxwell comes in, Karthik at No.5 and the batting looks long. If RCB lose Faf, Kohli and Maxwell in the powerplay, they have no one to rescue,” he said.
It remains to be seen which opening combination will RCB go with in their upcoming IPL 15 campaign.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
