Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg is busy with predictions and analysis of all the eight teams ahead of the start of a new IPL season. After picking up his best XI for RCB and Mumbai Indians previously, Hogg has now spoken about who will open with Virat Kohli in IPL 2021. RCB play the campaign opener against Mumbai Indians on April 9, which also kickstarts the season. While Mumbai are five-time IPL champions, RCB are yet to get their hands on the IPL. 

While Virat Kohli has been opening consistently for the franchise in the last couple of seasons, his batting partner for the other opener’s role has been constantly changing. Parthiv Patel, Aaron Finch, and Josh Philippe, and Devdutt Padikkal did that last season. Padikkal impressed everyone with his batting and former Australian spinner Brad Hogg believes he should open the batting with Kohli for RCB in IPL 2021.

Brad Hogg Reveals RCB’s Openers For IPL 2021

“They will have Padikkal open the batting. I think he did a fantastic job last year and is another Indian talent coming through. Opening the batting with him will be Virat Kohli. I think that is his prime position. He will be able to time the ball, pierce the gaps during the powerplay. His role will be to bat through the whole innings,” Brad Hogg stated in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.

Also Read: Brad Hogg Bats For Ravichandran Ashwin’s Return To India’s ODI Squad

Further in the video, Hogg has picked his ideal playing XI for RCB. The franchise has a galaxy of superstars and the former Australian bowler has done a good job picking the best possible XI from the overall squad. 

Hogg also said that RCB have a dominant top six this season with the inclusion of Glenn Maxwell, Dan Christian, and Mohammed Azharuddeen.

“You have got AB de Villiers coming in at no. 3 and then Glenn Maxwell to finish off the innings at no. 4. I will have Dan Christian coming in at no. 5, another power-hitter, and Mohammed Azharuddeen. I think that particular six would be dominant in this year’s IPL,” Brad Hogg said.

Brad Hogg’s Ideal RCB XI

Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Christian, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Kane Richardson, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Brad Hogg Picks His Mumbai Indians’ Playing XI