IPL 2021: Irfan Pathan Suggests RCB To Stick With Washington Sundar And Glenn Maxwell At The Top-Order; Wants AB de Villiers To Play As A Finisher

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has urged the Royal Challengers Bangalore to use Washington Sundar and Glenn Maxwell as proper batsmen. After picking up a win in the IPL 2021 season opener against Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore will lock horns against the SunRisers Hyderabad on Wednesday. Aside from using the aforementioned players as batsmen, Irfan Pathan wishes to see AB de Villiers as a finisher.

In Devdutt Padikkal’s absence, Washington Sundar opened the innings against Mumbai in the first game. Even though he could not pile up a significant score, Sundar showed promise. Along with that, Glenn Maxwell crafted a vital knock of 39 from 28 balls, while AB De Villiers, batting at number five, top-scored with 48 before perishing at the doorstep of the Royal Challengers’ victory. He scored those crucial 48 runs as his side underwent a minor wobble while pursuing 160.

Irfan Pathan believes that AB de Villiers can serve multiple roles, playing in the top-order, middle-order, and as a finisher. Thus, the former left-arm seamer highlighted that Glenn Maxwell must stick to his fearlessness and bat higher up the order.

“AB de Villiers is such a player who can play in the top order, the middle order and also as a brilliant and consistent finisher. So for that reason, RCB should play Maxwell higher up the batting order and hope that he plays fearlessly like in the first game,” Pathan told ESPN Cricinfo.

RCB always seem short of an Indian batsman in their line-up: Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan further stated that Washington Sundar must bat at number three for the Royal Challengers even after Devdutt Padikkal returns since they have always been short of an Indian batsman. Thus, the Baroda-born former player reckons that if Sundar could manage 20-25 runs consistently, other batsmen in the line-up could destroy the opposition.

“I would like to add another point that Washington Sundar should play in the top order consistently. Even after Devdutt Padikkal returns, play him at No. 3. We have been seeing RCB for so long and they always seem an Indian batsman short. So if Washington Sundar even scores 20-25 runs consistently then the rest of the batting order is very dangerous and they’ll get some firepower in the middle order,” he added.

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