Royal Challengers Bangalore’s vice-captain Parthiv Patel trolled his franchise on social media for asking fans about Virat Kohli’s opening partner. In a post on Instagram, RCB asked fans if they would pick Patel or Devdutt Padikkal as skipper Kohli’s opening partner. Patel came up with a funny reply and wrote why they want the bowlers to concede 239 runs.
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The India wicketkeeper-batsman had rejoined RCB in IPL 2018 auction for Rs 1.7 Crore. He wasn’t a regular in the playing XI that season but once Quinton de Kock went on a short break, he got his chance. In IPL 2019, Patel played all 14 matches in which he scored 373 runs. Here is his reply to RCB’s post –
RCB did have Padikkal in the previous season as well but he wasn’t given a chance as they continued to open with Kohli and Patel. This year though Padikkal holds a strong chance making his IPL debut, courtesy his form in domestic cricket. Playing for Karnataka, he scored 609 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to finish as the highest run-scorer.
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In the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the India U-19 batsman again sits on the top of the list with 548 runs and RCB might give him a chance straight away. Patel might not get to open in the upcoming season but he will retain his place as a wicket-keeper if the franchise does not buy a middle-order wicketkeeper-batsman in the auction.
Ahead of the auction, RCB released 12 players – Dale Steyn, Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetymer, Akshdeep Nath, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Colin de Grandhomme, Prayas Barman, Kulwant Khejroliya, Himmat Singh, Heinrich Klaasen, Milind Kumar and Tim Southee.
They have to only two overseas players now. One of the key areas for RCB will be to address the pace bowling.
They also have a new tam management this time. Simon Katich replaced Gary Kirsten as the head coach while Mike Hesson was appointed Director of Cricket. Former India trainer Shankar Basu also joined RCB. Sridharan Sriram and Adam Griffith are also members of RCB’s backroom staff.