Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) have been famous for having a weak middle order. Seldom do they enter a tournament with good middle order; however, if there’s one strength which makes up for their fragile middle order is their top order. RCB has always had a substantial top-order over the years. Their openers have always been their strength. Be it the Gayle-Dilshan partnership to the Kohli-Gayle, their opening combinations have been one of their positives.
RCB enters IPL 2020 with many openers and hence, has a lot of possible opening combinations. Today we shall be taking a look at five such opening combinations RCB could try out. You can also look in to our RCB Playing XI prediction here.
1. Parthiv Patel and Aaron Finch:
RCB are mostly going to start their campaign with this opening combination. Parthiv Patel is very good in the initial overs as he can use the fielding restrictions in the powerplay overs. Finch is best at the top, and thus this opening combination is most likely going be the combination RCB go ahead with.
2. Parthiv Patel and Virat Kohli:
As mentioned earlier, RCB has been famous for having a relatively weaker middle order than the other teams. This might tempt the RCB management to play Finch in the middle order. This would help their skipper and best batsman to face the most number of deliveries. Besides, Kohl’s IPL numbers as an opener are phenomenal.
3. Parthiv Patel and Devdutt Padikkal:
Despite being one of the greatest T20 batsmen of all time, Finch hasn’t been a consistent performer in the IPL. Finch has scored 1737 runs at an average of 25 and a strike rate of 130. This might tempt the RCB management to strengthen their middle order and play Moeen Ali. This tactic would also give Devdutt his much-needed opportunity as he has been one of the best Indian batsmen in the domestic circuit. Not giving him a chance would be a grave mistake, and hence the Parthiv-Devdutt combination could very well be implemented.
4. Devdutt Padikkal and Aaron Finch:
RCB teased their fans with the picture of AB de Villiers during his wicketkeeping drill during their franchise practice session in Dubai. Fans were left guessing as soon as the image was shared, with some welcoming the idea of making ABD the keeper. This would mean that RCB could then play with two regular openers. Not only would Devdutt get his much-needed opportunity, but Finch would also get a chance to bat at his favorite position. Besides, opening with Kohli and Finch wouldn’t be the great idea as it would leave RCB with a very delicate middle order. You would always want to save at least one of them for the middle overs.
5. Josh Philippe and Virat Kohli:
Josh Philippe is someone who has been massively praised by all the cricket pundits. If Parthiv Patel loses his form, they could accommodate Philippe at the top, leaving Finch. The Philippe-Kohli opening combination might be the least preferred choice, but is still an option available for Kohli and the RCB management to implement.
