IPL 2022: Wasim Jaffer picks his RCB openers, reckons Virat Kohli should bat at No. 3

The 2022 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will commence on 26th March 2022. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be led by a new captain, Faf du Plessis. Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer feels that batting legend Virat Kohli should bat at No. 3 for the RCB outfit in the upcoming season.

Jaffer said that Kohli can pace the game well if he bats at No.3 as he is a batter who likes to take his time. He opined that Kohli tries to force himself when he opens the batting. The former Indian cricketer added that No.3 is the best position for Kohli to bat.

“I prefer Virat Kohli batting at No. 3. I feel he can pace the game very well from there whether he comes to bat in the powerplay or after that. He’s somebody who takes some time initially and then his strike rate progressively goes up. In the powerplay, it seems as he forces himself a bit to hit by using the crease which I don’t think is his game. He’s obviously been successful as well but I think he plays better at No. 3,” said Jaffer in a chat with ESPNcricinfo.

Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli are similar kind of players: Wasim Jaffer

Jaffer further said that Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis play with a similar style. He added that as power-hitter Glenn Maxwell will walk in at No.4,  Anuj Rawat should open the batting as he has already opened in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament.

“I also feel that Faf and Virat are similar kinds of players so Virat at No. 3 and Maxy (Glenn Maxwell) at No. 4 seems a better combination. Anuj Rawat, he’s a left-hander as well, bats in the powerplay for Delhi, opens in the [Syed] Mushtaq Ali [Trophy] – we could see him opening the batting and I would like to see Virat at No. 3,” concluded Jaffer.