Virat Kohli is among the most consistent run-getters in the format, scoring runs almost every time.
Virat Kohli has been the lynchpin of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting order all these years. He has been the leading run-scorer in the history of the league and has played numerous match-winning knocks for the Bengaluru-based franchise.
No wonder Kohli is always RCB’s first retainer before any mega auction, and the case remained the same this time. They then bought several quality hitters from the auction and look like a proper team that could compete hard next season.
What does Virat Kohli offer to RCB?
Lots of experience and quality. Virat Kohli is among the most consistent run-getters in the format, scoring runs almost every time. He was the leading run-scorer in IPL 2024 and won the Orange Cap for his wonderful batting.
Due to his vast experience, he can be flexible with his batting position and bat as an opener or at number 3 as per requirement. Kohli has batted primarily as an opener for RCB in the last few years and yet he has done extremely well.
Kohli knows how to spin long innings, bats deep and is an ideal anchor in the shortest format. He is aware of the game and has shown signs of adapting to the game situation by batting with a fresh approach.
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Where should Virat Kohli bat in IPL 2025?
Virat Kohli’s best position will be up top and he should open the innings. He is among the best pace bowlers and can hit any length at will, making him an ideal batsman to exploit the powerplay overs.
He has adopted a new approach and chases the bowlers in the first six overs during the fielding restrictions. While his spin game has also seen a significant rise, Kohli’s strongest suit remains pace bowling and he can hit boundaries more consistently against them.
RCB have batsman Rajat Patidar, who could bat at number 3, so they need a solid batsman around him. It was a combination that worked perfectly last season and there is no valid reason to change it.
His superior ability to bat depending on the situation will help him slow down the pace if the first wickets fall. In short, Kohli can do what the team wants while opening the innings, unlike at number 3 where he may find it difficult to get going as he faces spin immediately in an open field.
What are Virat Kohli’s recent numbers at the top?
While Virat Kohli has been opening the innings for several years now in the shortest format, his refreshing approach last year was the standout feature. He had a strike rate of 161.47 and 4.05 balls per boundary in the powerplay.
His average was 93.25, which shows that he scored quickly in this phase without losing his wicket, making him a dangerous player. In total, he scored 741 runs at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69 in 15 outings at the top, including five fifties and one century.
The covers in IPL have been mostly flat, and Kohli’s new approach can be extracted more by opening the innings. With him and Phil Salt at the top, RCB can form one of the deadliest opening partnerships that can cause serious damage during fielding restrictions.
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