Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra expects Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener Virat Kohli to continue his run-scoring binge in the IPL 2024 match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Two teams battle at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on March 29th. RCB enters, fresh from victory against Punjab Kings on home turf. They hunger to seize another triumph.
Chopra identified Kohli as one of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru players to watch in a video posted to his YouTube channel.
“The first player I am picking is Kohli because Kohli likes KKR and Kohli has form. You will have to talk about Kohli in whichever team he might be. Kohli’s form is good in any case but no one plays spin better than Kohli in this team.”
“When Kohli will be there with Faf du Plessis, spin will come in the first six overs. Varun Chakaravarthy or Sunil Narine might bowl, so spin will come at the start. So the focus will be on Kohli as our (RCB’s) wagon will only move forward if you score runs.”
Aakash Chopra
Kohli hit 77 off 49 balls in RCB’s triumph against PBKS. He scored 75 runs in the Bengaluru-based franchise’s two defeats against KKR last season and will look to provide a match-winning effort on Friday.
I am focusing on this player for two reasons” – Aakash Chopra on RCB’s Glenn Maxwell
Aakash Chopra is excited to see Glenn Maxwell’s exploits with the ball and bat on Friday.
“The second player I am focusing on is Glenn Maxwell. We all know that Maxi is hit and miss but I am focusing on this player for two reasons. Off-spin – Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh – they (KKR) have four left-handers. When you have so many left-handers, an off-spinner is required.”
“Maxi’s numbers are not that good against Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy but he hasn’t scored runs in the last two innings. So for how long will he fail – he is a mighty player. So I am hoping from Bangalore’s point of view that he scores runs because runs will be needed from him.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra named Mohammed Siraj as the third RCB player to watch in Friday’s encounter.
“In bowling, the player in focus in my mind will be Mohammed Siraj because he bowls very well to left-handers. When you play on flat pitches, generally one spell makes the difference in the end. He picked up wickets in the last match and here also Mohammed Siraj has to take wickets for Bangalore to do well.”
Chopra also advised Faf du Plessis and his team to choose Reece Topley instead of Alzarri Joseph if the England left-arm pacer is fit and available.