LSG vs RCB: Sanjay Manjrekar Wants RCB Team Management To Make A Decision On Opening Between Virat Kohli And Anuj Rawat

Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar opined on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) mulling to change the top-order in their batting line-up. After youngster Anuj Rawat hasn’t made the best use of the opportunity to open with skipper Faf du Plessis, the team management could place senior player Virat Kohli in the opening slot.

LSG vs RCB Dream11 Prediction

Rawat averages 20.83 with 125 runs in six innings, barring his 66 against Mumbai Indians, the Delhi player hasn’t found the momentum in the tournament.

On the other hand, Kohli is also going through a drought of runs as the former skipper amassed 119 in six innings at 19.83. Kohli is yet to score a fifty in this edition and getting run-outs in the last two innings, added injury to his rough patch.

If Virat Kohli opens, he will get a better platform to face more balls: Sanjay Manjrekar

Manjrekar believes that RCB would need an experienced batter to play at No.3 and hence backed Rawat for more opportunities in the top order. The former Indian player said the team management comprised of skipper Faf du Plessis and Director of Cricket Mike Hesson would have to think meticulously about the need for a shuffle in the team’s batting order

“Mike Hesson and Faf du Plessis will have to make a decision over whether they want to go back to Virat Kohli or back a youngster like Anuj Rawat, who can be the future of RCB. If Kohli opens, he will get a better platform to face more balls. But they can go the CSK way as well, where a youngster gets chances at the top and experienced batters handle the pressure overs,” Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.

“At No. 3, you need an experienced player who can handle pressure situations and can change gears accordingly in T20s. This applies to numbers four and five as well. There is slightly less pressure while opening. So, RCB must think about this in case they are looking at changing the opening combination,” he added.

Faf du Plessis’ failure is one of the big stories of this IPL: Sanjay Manjrekar

Manjrekar also pointed out the RCB skipper’s failures with the bat. The South African batter kicked off his alliance with RCB in a high-pitched tone with 57-ball 88, however, the captain returned with 66 runs in his last five innings at 13.2.

“Yes, Rawat has not scored in the last 2-3 innings. But Faf du Plessis’ failure is one of the big stories of this IPL. Very rarely has he been out of form for such an extended period of time,” Manjrekar said.

RCB will take on KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Tuesday (April 19) at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Both the teams are leveled on eight points in the top four of the IPL 2022 points table with Lucknow sitting in third place on a superior net run rate.

Also Read: LSG vs RCB: Match Preview – IPL 2022 Match 31, Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore