Hyderabad: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson on Thursday admitted that RCB skipper Virat Kohli's decision to open their innings had a big impact on their auction strategy.
Hesson further revealed that RCB had decided that Kohli would open their innings even before the IPL auction.
“Certainly, we talked about it before the auction because that came into our auction planning in terms of how we wanted to structure our line-up So certainly no surprise there. Look it is a slightly different structure, but that helped determine our auction planning as well,” Hesson said.
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Bold Diaries: Virat Kohli to open for RCB in Vivo IPL 2021
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 25, 2021 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
Mike Hesson talks about Virat opening the batting, and ABD still being a wicket-keeping option for the team heading into the all-important IPL season!#IPL2021 #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/TNFSlEtkEN
">Bold Diaries: Virat Kohli to open for RCB in Vivo IPL 2021
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 25, 2021
Mike Hesson talks about Virat opening the batting, and ABD still being a wicket-keeping option for the team heading into the all-important IPL season!#IPL2021 #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/TNFSlEtkENBold Diaries: Virat Kohli to open for RCB in Vivo IPL 2021
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 25, 2021
Mike Hesson talks about Virat opening the batting, and ABD still being a wicket-keeping option for the team heading into the all-important IPL season!#IPL2021 #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/TNFSlEtkEN
Also Read: Shreyas Iyer ruled out of the England ODI series
Earlier, after India clinched the five-match T20I series against England 3-2, Indian skipper Virat Kohli had announced that he will open for RCB in IPL 2021. Kohli's remark came after scoring a match-winning 80 runs while opening the innings for India.
After Kohli's successful stint at the top of the order in the 5th T20I, many believed that the Indian skipper might go on to open for India in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup. However, the Indian skipper has denied the suggestion, before adding that the final call regarding the same would be taken after the conclusion of IPL.
“Delighted he got an opportunity for India to open the other day and show everybody exactly what he is capable of. We certainly know that, but just another reminder for everybody,” said Mike Hesson.
Also Read: Ahead of T20 WC, IPL offers opportunity to adapt to Indian conditions, says Bairstow
The New Zealand born coach also confirmed that Devdutt Padikkal would open for RCB along with Kohli.
“So yeah, really looking forward to Virat opening the batting with Devdutt. Left-right combination, different types of players and obviously we know Virat’s record after he gets through to the powerplay. He is phenomenal, especially if he bats at the top,” said Hesson.
