IPL 2020: Virender Sehwag Baffled By Virat Kohli's Move To Send AB De Villiers At Number Six Against KXIP

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has questioned Virat Kohli’s tactics of sending AB De Villiers in the sixth position against Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah. AB De Villiers, who came to bat significantly late on Thursday, could not repeat his exploits that he performed against Kolkata Knight Riders a few days ago. Virender Sehwag slammed Kohli’s explanation of having a left-right combination in the middle.

Instead of keeping AB De Villiers at number four, RCB decided to promote Washington Sundar at that spot followed by Shivam Dube. The Indian duo had starts; however, could not convert them into significant scores. The former South African skipper came to bat at number six and managed only a couple of runs in five balls. The Royal Challengers managed 171 in 20 overs which KXIP chased down with eight wickets to spare.

Virender Sehwag reminded that AB De Villiers hammered 73 off 33 balls against KKR and chances are he would have scored more runs had he face more deliveries. Sehwag responded to Kohli’s willingness to have the left-right combination, asking that when Padikkal perished, Washington Sundar should have come at number three instead of the skipper.

“AB de Villiers is someone who had hit 73 from 33 balls in the previous game at this same ground. If you had given him more balls, there are chances he might have scored more runs. If you’re saying, right-left combination, then when Devdutt Padikkal got out, Virat Kohli came in. Then you didn’t think about the right-left combination? Why didn’t you send Washington Sundar at No.3? I am not able to understand this,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.

“He might be a very good player but he hasn’t proved his batting exploits” : Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag further said that in trying for the left-right combination, RCB missed a trick by not sending their best batsman. The 41-year old opines that Washington Sundar might be a good player; however, he is yet to prove his batting exploits in IPL, similar to that of Chris Gayle and AB De Villiers.

“In trying to get a left-right combination going, RCB haven’t sent one of their best batsmen out. I am not able to understand this. Who was that left-hander? Washington Sundar? He might be a very good player but he hasn’t proved his batting exploits. He has shown his six-hitting abilities like a Chris Gayle or a Yuvraj Singh,” he added.

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