The former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer in the Indian Premier League history with over 6400 runs. However, he has been struggling to contribute enough in the ongoing season and has garnered only 119 runs in eight innings. Ahead of RCB’s fixture against Rajasthan Royal (RR), experts Nikhil Chopra and Deep Dasgupta shared their views on Virat Kohli opening the batting for the team.

Chopra reckoned that he has always wanted Kohli to open and have an opportunity to play 120 balls. He thinks the former RCB captain can control the game better when he bats at the opening slot. Chopra added that the team’s demands are certainly calling Kohli to open with the captain of Faf du Plessis, due to the failure of youngster Anuj Rawat.

“I have always been a big advocate, due to the fact that he is such a batter that he should bat at the opening position. You give the opportunity to play 120 balls and convert your starts into a big one. With only two fielders in the powerplay overs, of course, the average and strike rate gets better. I have always been wanting him to open because he controls the game better,” said Nikhil Chopra on Sky247.net presents ‘Not Just Cricket’ Show on CricTracker.

Dasgupta believes, Kohli opening for the RCB team will be favorable for the team as well. He reckoned that the former RCB captain has the special skill set to pierce the gaps in the powerplay overs. Dasgupta further added that he is a legendary batter who has done well at the opening or the number four position as well. In 76 IPL innings as an opener, Kohli has amassed 2750 runs at an average of 43.65.

“This change will be good for Virat as well, as he has not scored enough runs for the team. He can perform well in the opening position and has proved himself at the number four position as well. Rather than personally, if I look from the perspective of the team, it will be favorable for them as well,” said Deep D.