Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) recently appointed former South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis as their skipper for the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League (IPL).
Previously, former India skipper Virat Kohli had announced last season, before the second phase of IPL, that he will not be the captain of RCB from next season. And now former RCB skipper Daniel Vettori made a big prediction as he feels that RCB should get Kohli to open the batting.
Vettori's big prediction
“I think every year this is a discussion point. Every year, by the time the season finishes, Virat Kohli opening becomes the right option. It's irrelevant who is at the other end. I think he performs better in situations where he is allowed more time and his stroke making is more successful in those first six overs,” Vettori said on ESPNCricinfo.
“That allows him to settle during the middle overs and then his death over batting is exceptional. A lot of things have to go his way to get to those death overs but I believe when he is able to settle up at the top of the order that is when he is at his best,” the former New Zealand skipper further added.
RCB's success
While talking about RCB’s performance, the former New Zealand skipper said that “if you look at the times RCB have been successful” it is when Kohli “has opened.”
“If you look at the times RCB have been successful, it is when he has opened. We are talking about a fantastic player, whether he bats from one to four, he is still going to be contributing and be amazing. But I think from a team perspective, opener is the right way from here,” he said.
Kohli was the captain of the RCB franchise since 2013 but during his stint as the RCB skipper for eight years, he could not win the prestigious IPL title for the franchise. The Faf du Plessis-led side will start the upcoming 15th season of IPL on March 27 as they will take on Punjab Kings at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium.
The inaugural match of the IPL 2022 edition is scheduled to be played on March 26, between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai and the final match of the tournament will take place on May 29.
