IPL 2020: Gautam Gambhir names a surprise pick to open the innings for RCB this season

Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore, in pursuit of their maiden IPL title, will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening fixture of this year’s league. Over the years, the Bangalore franchise has had several match-winners in their arsenal. But somehow or the other, RCB never crossed the fishing line and win the coveted.

With multiple additions to their batting artillery, RCB have bolstered their top-order. They’ve roped in Australia opener Aaron Finch and Karnataka opener Devdutt Padikkal in the previous players’ auction.

The duo is expected to open this year in place of Parthiv Patel-Virat Kohli pair. However, former India Gautam Gambhir believes RCB should experiment with Washington Sundar at the top. Gambhir, who had led Kolkata Knight Riders to their maiden IPL title in 2012, said that he is excited to see how skipper Virat Kohli uses Sundar this season.

RCB will open their IPL 2020 campaign against SRH

“I am actually very excited to see how Virat Kohli uses Washington Sundar because he actually bowls well with the new ball. And then he can tonk a few as well but then it depends on what number does he bat at,” Gautam Gambhir told Cricket.com

“They could actually pick a punt with him and open with him and then let him just go free. He has that capability to give you those useful runs and obviously he can bowl four overs at any stage of the game as well,” he added.

While there’s no doubt over Sundar’s potential, he is yet to leave his mark in the IPL. In his three-year career so far, he has managed to score only 75 runs in 21 matches at a meagre average of 12.50. With the ball, he has scalped 16 wickets so far including best figures of 3/16. 20-year-old Sundar does have a century and two fifties under his belt in First-class cricket. If Kohli decides to utilize him at the top, it will be an excellent opportunity for the Chennai lad to flaunt his batting exploits.

After facing Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opening fixture, RCB will play two more matches in September. They’ll first battle Kings XI Punjab (24th September) and then Mumbai Indians (28th September).