RCB star batter Rajat Patidar is set to miss the first half of the IPL 2023 due to a heel injury as he has been advised to take rest for three weeks. In Rajat Patidar’s absence, RCB might have to tinker with their opening combination of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis.
RCB head coach Mike Hesson had earlier stated that they will stick with their opening combination of Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli in IPL 2023 as they have a reliable batter in Rajat Patidar playing in the middle order. He is currently rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
Rajat Patidar was the mainstay in RCB’s batting lineup in IPL 2022. He was brought in as a replacement player in the second half of the tournament and did wonders for the Faf du Plessis-led side.
The Madhya Pradesh batter scored 333 runs in 7 innings at a staggering strike rate of 152.75. Rajat Patidar had smashed a scintillating 49-ball hundred in the eliminator against LSG taking his side into the second playoff.
In Patidar’s absence, the RCB top order might look like this :
1. Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis has completely changed the fortune of RCB not just as the leader but as an opening batter as well. He was the highest run-getter for RCB in the previous edition and will look to do the same in IPL 2023.
The former South African batter destroyed almost every bowling lineup along with Virat Kohli providing a reliable opening pair for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
2. Finn Allen
Allen has got the ability to play shots right from the word go. Finn Allen smashed a 16-ball 42 against Australia in the inaugural game of the 2022 T20 World Cup which allowed his team to defeat the host nation.
Wanindu Hasaranga is unavailable for the first few games while there’s no clarity on Josh Hazlewood as well. In the absence of Hasaranga and Hazlewood, the RCB team management might be tempted to play Allen as their fourth overseas player.
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3. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli did pretty well as an opener in IPL 2022 but in the absence of Rajat Patidar, RCB would need him at the number 3 position. He plays the same role for Team India as well.
Virat Kohli’s presence at number 3 will allow the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Dinesh Karthik to play their natural game as Virat can certainly anchor the RCB innings.