IPL 2022: Wasim Jaffer And Aakash Chopra Want Virat Kohli To Bat At No.3 For Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Former Indian opening batters Wasim Jaffer and Aakash Chopra have said that they want to see former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli bat at No.3 in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.

During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Wasim Jaffer admitted that Kohli has been a very successful opener in the Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bangalore but opined that the batting maestro should bat at No.3 as he plays better at that position.

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“I prefer Virat Kohli batting at No. 3. I feel he can pace the game very well from there whether he comes to bat in the powerplay or after that. He’s somebody who takes some time initially and then his strike rate progressively goes up. In the powerplay, it seems as he forces himself a bit to hit by using the crease which I don’t think is his game. He’s obviously been successful as well but I think he plays better at No. 3,” Jaffer told ESPNcricinfo.

He also picked Anuj Rawat as RCB captain Faf du Plessis’ opening partner in the Indian Premier League 2022.

“I also feel that Faf and Virat are similar kinds of players so Virat at No. 3 and Maxy (Glenn Maxwell) at No. 4 seems a better combination. Anuj Rawat, he’s a left-hander as well, bats in the powerplay for Delhi, opens in the [Syed] Mushtaq Ali [Trophy] – we could see him opening the batting and I would like to see Virat at No. 3,” he added.

You will want Virat Kohli to take the game deep – Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator said that the game of musical chairs was being played for the No.3 spot at RCB in the IPL 2021. He added that with AB de Villiers’ retirement it becomes important for Kohli to play at No.3 and take the game deep as the wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik doesn’t provide the same quality as AB de Villiers.

“Last year when Kohli was opening the batting, a game of musical chairs was being played for the No. 3 spot. They stopped at Srikar Bharat at the end but then sent him at No. 4 too. We’ve seen this a lot in RCB’s recent history that they shuffle the batting order a lot but if you can identify the crucial positions beforehand [it would be better],” he added.

“Also, keep in mind there’s no AB de Villiers. When he was there, they were assured he would handle the situation from No. 4 or No. 5. Of course, you have Dinesh Karthik but he isn’t AB de Villiers. You will want Virat Kohli to take the game deep and stay at the pitch till the 14th or 15th over. So I’ll say Virat Kohli at 3.”

Also Read: Ben Stokes Told Me About His Final Over In T20 World Cup Against Carlos Brathwaite: Chetan Sakariya Recalls How England All-Rounder Helped Him In Pressure Situation

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