'Orange cap will be under threat' - Ravi Shastri speaks big for Virat Kohli ahead of RCB's first game in IPL 2022

The Indian Premier League 2022 is already underway and it remains to be seen how the new-look teams would be able to make the mark this time around. One megastar of the game who is always awaited to flaunt his batting show is Virat Kohli and this time too, fans’ expectations are the same. In the same line of events, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has opened up big on the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batting star.

Shastri is of the belief that Kohli can bag the Orange Cap easily given he opens for his franchise this season. It is to be noted that Kohli appeared in surreal form in IPL 2016 where he notched up 973 runs, averaging over 80 to storm RCB into the final. It was the only season in which Kohli bagged the Orange Cap and opened for the team.

“If Virat Kohli opens in this IPL 2022, then I’m sure Orange cap will be under threat,” said Shastri while speaking to Star Sports.

Speaking further about whether the former Indian skipper would open or bat at number three, Shastri added that all of it depends on the team combination. It is highly likely that RCB’s newly appointed skipper Faf du Plessis would start for them up the order.

There’s no harm in Virat Kohli opening if RCB have strong middle order: Ravi Shastri

“That depends on the balance of the team. I wouldn’t know what their middle order is, but just in case they’ve got a very strong middle order, then there’s no harm in Virat opening,” he added.

Even though Kohli would be playing this season as a regular player, his batting contributions for RCB will be highly anticipated, and are also considered to be extremely crucial in their search for the maiden title. RCB would be starting their IPL 2022 campaign with against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) on March 27 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.