IPL 2018: Parthiv Patel Hopeful of Good Season Under Virat Kohli

There was a bit of surprise when Parthiv Patel went unsold on day one of the auction.

At that time, he was keeping wickets for India in South Africa, and at stumps, the news would have taken him by surprise.

On the second day of the IPL auction, he got a buyer, and Royal Challengers Bangalore bought their former wicketkeeper-batsman for Rs 1.70 Crore.

The most experienced player in the RCB line-up has said the team would have a good season under Virat Kohli,

“I am probably the most travelled player in terms of changing teams in the IPL. I have been to new teams and have been through the settling-down phases earlier too. I have played for RCB for one year, and it is a great team to be a part of and with a captain like Virat, I think we will have a good season ahead,” he told TOI.

Parthiv Patel had played for RCB in IPL 2014. He scored 215 runs during his one-year stint with the team. Virat was also the captain of the team at that time. Patel will do his regular job, i.e. opening the innings and keeping wickets.

However, this time, he will have a new opening partner in Virat Kohli.

The camaraderie between these two will be interesting to see, as both of them play freely, with Virat being more aggressive than Patel.

Also with India playing a Test match just two weeks after the completion of IPL, the tournament will also be an opportunity for Patel to do well and keep his fighting for that one place in the team.

Wriddhiman Saha is the first choice but with Parthiv Patel giving the opening option as well – keeping in mind openers didn’t do well in South Africa- the door is always open for Patel.

The upcoming season of IPL will start on April 7. RCB open their campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 8.

The RCB squad has some new members in the backroom staff in Ashish Nehra and Gary Kirsten. While Nehra will perform the job of bowling coach, Kirsten is the batting coach.

RCB is one of the five franchises that is plying trade in IPL right from the inception of the league.

However, just like Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab, the team is yet to win an IPL trophy.

Here is the news feed –

Sreenath Arvind retires from domestic cricket

Steve Waugh praises Virat Kohli for his character