Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper revealed that he will be opening the batting for his franchise in IPL 2021. Kohli opened for the very first time in T20Is alongside Virat Kohli. The impact was instantly visible as it gave more balance to the Indian batting line-up and the middle order was able to cash in on a good start. Before the fifth T20I, Kohli had batted as an opener in T20Is only in 7 matches, managing 198 runs.
After the match, in the post-match presentation, Virat Kohli revealed his batting position in the IPL 2021 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He said that he will continue to open in the IPL and bank on facing maximum deliveries and scoring runs for the team. On his part, Kohli confirmed that he would ‘like’ to continue opening the innings with Rohit in T20Is, with India having found a strong middle-order core.
“I am going to open in the IPL as well. Have batted in different positions in the past. But I feel we have a solid middle-order now. Will definitely like to partner Rohit at the top” said Kohli.
Meanwhile, RCB coach, Mike Hesson reacted to Kohli revealing his batting position for his IPL franchise in the 2021 season. He hoped that the announcement will answer one of the ‘consistent’ questions floating around the franchise during every IPL season.
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He reacted cheekily to RCB’s post and said, “Well that will hopefully stop one of the consistent questions.”
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RCB has hada number of opening combinations in the past. The likes of Chris Gaye, Aaron Finch, Parthiv Patel to Devdutt Padikkal all have opened for the franchise in the past. Meanwhile, Padikkal scored 473 runs from 15 matches last season with the franchise reaching the playoffs.
Reacting to Kohli’s claims of opening for RCB, former England captain Michael Vaughan stated in Cricbuzz Live, “He (Kohli) could bat anywhere but I think they (India and RCB) have found something. I think RCB will be a lot stronger by having him at the top of the order,” Vaughan pointed out.
RCB will play the IPL 2021 campaign opener against Mumbai Indians in Chennai on April 9.
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