Daniel Vettori suggests Kohli could return as an opener

Daniel Vettori, mentor and head coach of RCB is very confident of his team’s chances against KXIP in a friday night clash today. RCB is all set to host KXIP in their first home match at their beloved M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and put points on table.

The stadium will be buzzing with home support and Vettori has to make few tough calls today after their disappointing start to the IPL against KKR.

The most important call for today’s match will be whether to promote Virat Kohli to opening slot. Virat Kohli has an amazing record in IPL as opener but RCB went with De Kock and Mccullum in their previous match against public opinion.

“The reason we wanted Brendon and Quinton at the top is because they are so dynamic in the Power Play and then AB can take over in the middle stages. At this stage, that is the plan but it can all change,” he said.

Vettori believes that losing AB and Kohli in consecutive balls bowled by a part timer was massive blow for them. He also emphasized on the fact that all RCB bowlers were very poor against Sunil Narine, which led to their demise against KKR.

“Losing AB and Virat in two balls, we didn’t launch after that. And I don’t think we bowled particularly well to Narine. We went away from our plans a little bit.”

Today RCB have another West Indian explosive opening batsmen to deal with and Vettori believes his team is well equipped to handle Gaylestrom.

“We probably won’t anticipate playing against Chris on Friday. But if he does, if any team knows how good he is that is RCB and what he has done for the team for a number of years. We are fully aware of his strengths and how we can handle him.”

Gayle and K L Rahul were two big players to exit from RCB this season and they both can be part of today’s KXIP team, Rahul more so than Gayle. K L Rahul is in terrific form as of late and he will be biggest challenge for RCB bowlers tonight. He not only is an ex RCB player but also he will be playing in his home ground.

“KL is obviously in fantastic form in the first game and he knows these conditions. He missed all last year for us, it was sad not to see him perform (play at all) but he has gone away to KXIP and started exceptionally well. Hopefully we can tackle him well,” he concluded.