I am going to open in the IPL as well – Virat Kohli

Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli has revealed that he is going to open the innings in the upcoming Indian Premier League. Kohli had opened the innings with Rohit Sharma in the final deciding T20I against England and he was able to add a fine alliance of 94 runs, to lay down the foundation of a big score.

Kohli has opened the innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the past and he has done well. The talisman will open the innings with in-form Devdutt Padikkal, who impressed in his maiden season and also scored 737 runs in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy while playing for Karnataka.

Meanwhile, Kohli also hinted that there could be a possibility that he will open the innings with Rohit in the T20 World Cup later in the year. Kohli added that it is best for the team if the two of their best batsmen get the opportunity to face the maximum number of balls and it gives immense confidence to the middle-order batter if either one of them is settled at the crease.

Kohli is more confident of the middle-order and players like Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya can hit the ground running.

Virat Kohli said in the post-match presentation, “Today was a complete game. Despite Rishabh and Iyer not getting a chance we put on 225. Testimony to our batting depth. Today Rohit and I were both positive in our intent. We knew we could trust each other and one of us can play second fiddle if one takes off. Today it was classic Rohit Sharma. And then Surya coming in at three and taking the game even further away. Then Hardik finishing it. I am going to open in the IPL as well. Have batted in different positions in the past. But I feel we have a solid middle-order now. Will definitely like to partner Rohit at the top”.

India was able to seal the series by 3-2 as they won the final game by 36 runs. In fact, the hosts were trailing 2-1 but made a solid comeback. Furthermore, they lost the toss in the last two matches and were able to defend the total.

Kohli also had a sublime series with the bat as he scored 231 runs in five matches at an average of 115.50 and a strike rate of 147.13. Thus, he was awarded the Player of the series.

India and England will now take on each other in the three-match ODI series, starting 23 March at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune behind closed doors.