From ABD to Ravi Shastri: Experts have their say ahead of RCB vs KKR

In less than an hour’s time, the Challengers will be taking up the Knightly challenge as they gear up for their second-round fixture, raring to turn the tide around after a bitter start to their campaign. Faf du Plessis will be hoping for his men to take care of the loose ends that cost RCB their opening game.

It was a phenomenal batting display from RCB with Faf du Plessis leading the way while Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik chimed in with crucial cameos to help them to a staggering 205. Despite their bowlers failing to defend the total, experts believe that there is still a lot left in the Challengers and the opening game was just a mere setback.

The pundits weighed in with their valuable opinions about RCB and its players just ahead of their contest with the Knights. This is what they had to say:

Former RCB player and icon, AB de Villiers was full of praises for Virat Kohli, the highest run-scorer for RCB against KKR. He cited, “Everyone knows about Faf du Plessis coming in as captain. I think the most exciting thing for me is Virat not being captain and releasing a bit of the pressure, really just going out there and freeing up. I am expecting a very big season from Virat. I am thinking 600+ runs from him this year.”

Former Indian Test opener, Wasim Jaffer tweeted, “Backing Royal Challengers Bangalore to open their account tonight.”

Aakash Chopra also heaped praises on Virat Kohli, citing, “He looked good. This was like that old vintage Virat Kohli. He started with a bang and that's what he can do whenever he wants. He took on Brar. The last time he had issues, he was dismissed. He hit him for a six. He hit the boundaries and then took a backseat.”

Former Indian coach, Ravi Shastri was also hopeful of another Kohli masterclass and heaped praises on Kohli’s knock against Punjab. He said, “The thing I liked most about Virat was his fluency (in the 29-ball 41* against Punjab Kings). He was prepared to use his feet against the spinners. Now he has to bring out the sweep. It's a very important shot. He doesn't play it much, but he should, with freedom.”

He concluded by saying, “Get a spinner and keep playing the sweep. Because if he uses his feet and starts to play the sweep, any spinner will think twice, thrice about what to bowl."