AB de Villiers keeping wickets will be a topic of discussion: Simon Katich
RCB head coach, Simon Katich indicated that AB de Villiers could be assigned the wicket-keeping duties for the upcoming season of the IPL. "Obviously we've had a lot of discussions around the makeup of our team. AB has kept wickets in South Africa before so I'm sure that will be a topic for discussion. But what is the right balance in these conditions will also come into play. He's got a huge role to play for us, given the number of performances over the years for RCB and South Africa, " he said.
Quite evidently, AB de Villiers has been an indispensable part of the RCB set-up after having orchestrated innumerable match-winning knocks. Veteran cricketer, Parthiv Patel and Western Australia's Joshua Philippe are the only two regular wicket-keepers in the RCB roster.
Fresh from a triumphant 3T series, the 36-year-old will be keen to carry forward the same momentum into the IPL, said Katich. "We know he's a world-class performer and he's had a fantastic tournament, where he led his team to a win in the 3TC competition. He's coming in confident on the back of that and I'm sure, knowing his love for his franchise and playing with the players at RCB, he's going to be excited by this prospect. We'll see what happens with his job behind the stumps and with the bat," Katich said.
Simon hails Devdutt Padikkal's efforts
Karnataka's latest batting prodigy, Devdutt Padikkal, dictated terms with immense self-assurance by pioneering Karnataka to a podium finish in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali.
Simon Katich, impressed by the youngster's skill set, believes that he has staked his claim to make an IPL debut this year. "The decision was made prior to his domestic season (to retain Devdutt Padikkal). As a young 20-year-old batsman, the fact that he's a left-hander as well, he's obviously going to be a favourite. When it comes to the balance of the batting order you do like to break up left-hand, right-hand batting combinations so I think he's done everything possible to put his hand up and potentially make his debut in the IPL. Obviously now it's up to him to put his best case forward in the camp, we'll have some practice matches where I'm sure he will get an opportunity to play. He's an exciting young talent," the RCB head coach further added.
Simon Katich's words are sure to be music to the ears of the RCB fans. With the two-month-long cricketing extravaganza finally set to begin from September 19, the excitement among the 12th Man Army knows no boundaries.
NEXT
