As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 approaches, cricket enthusiasts and fans are busy analyzing team combinations and player performances. One of the key debates that have been making rounds is whether Faf Du Plessis and Virat Kohli can be the best opening batting combo this year for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Du Plessis and Kohli are both world-class players and have been instrumental in their national teams’ success. However, their partnership as openers for RCB hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations. With RCB not signing an opener in the IPL 2023 auction, Kohli is likely to continue opening, and Du Plessis is set to partner him.
While both batter are in good T20 form, their playing styles haven’t quite suited the opening partnership. Kohli, known for his anchoring innings, has struggled to provide quick starts in the powerplay overs. His strike rate of 114.14 in the powerplay isn’t ideal for an opener, and his struggles against spin have been a common issue in all formats of the game.
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Du Plessis, on the other hand, has a slightly better strike rate of 128.08 in the powerplay. However, he struggles even more against spin bowling, making the opening partnership’s slow starts a potential issue for RCB.
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To add to the woes, RCB’s team combination doesn’t allow them to play a powerplay and spin-bashing opener like Finn Allen, who could potentially provide the quick starts they need. This leaves the team heavily reliant on the partnership of Du Plessis and Kohli, and their ability to perform under pressure.
Despite the challenges, there’s no denying that both players are in good T20 form. Kohli has scored seven half-centuries and a hundred in his last 15 T20Is, and Du Plessis had a decent season in the Big Bash League. He was also seen in good touch in the SA20 League, where he smashed 369 runs, including 2 fifties and a hundred.
In conclusion, while Faf Du Plessis and Virat Kohli are undoubtedly two of the best batsmen in the world, their partnership as openers for RCB hasn’t been very effective. The team would have been better off with a powerplay and spin-bashing opener partnering Du Plessis, and Kohli coming in at number three. However, with limited options, the onus is on Du Plessis and Kohli to provide quick starts and anchor the innings for RCB. Whether they can step up and be the best opening batting combo this year remains to be seen.