I think Virat Kohli will score runs straightaway: Michael Clarke

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has backed the chances of the Royal Challengers Bangalore bouncing back to good fortunes this season. He believes that the addition of Virat Kohli in the lineup will bolster the camp. Earlier in the last match, the team had received a major boost in the form of AB de Villiers. Certainly, when Kohli comes back to the setup, there will be a lot of expectations from him. Clarke noted that the team missed the services of Virat as the leader of the team.

Michael Clarke then noted that the team combination of RCB is exceptional. And now with Kohli and AB back in the frame together, things should only get better. The former Aussie cricketer also wants Chris Gayle to be back in the setup. Gayle was omitted from the previous match at the expense of comeback man AB de Villiers. In an interview with the India Today, Clarke spoke at length about the prospects of the Bangalore franchise.

“Expectations exactly the same every time he walks out to the field. I think he will make runs. I think RCB has missed his leadership. Shane Watson’s done a fantastic job, but don’t get me wrong, Virat is the RCB captain and I think they’ll welcome him back with open arms. I hope he opens the batting. That’s the perfect position for him,” quoted Michael Clarke.

“I would say bring Chris Gayle back in as well. I think those two are the right opening combination for RCB. I still think RCB’s team is exceptional and they can compete to win the IPL..they are that good. Having Virat Kohli plus AB de Villiers back in the team, they gonna be tough to beat,” he added further.

Having said that, it is important to note that the team management will have selection conundrums if they wish to get back Chris Gayle in the setup. Having Gayle in the lineup would mean dropping either Shane Watson or Billy Stanlake. Talking about this scenario, Clarke said, “Well, I think you are working at do you want a second fast bowler in Billy Stanlake or do you want the all-rounder in Shane Watson. To me, Chris Gayle’s got to play.”

When asked to pick one among Billy Stanlake and Shane Watson, Michael Clarke opted to go with the experience of Shane Watson. He mentioned that it will definitely be a tough call on Stanlake but that is how things have to shape up this evening.

“Then I am probably saying Shane Watson; which is tough on Billy Stanlake, unless conditions suit a second fast bowler. Well, he can open the bowling. I would be going with the experience of Watson but I would definitely bring Chris Gayle back in and open the batting with him and Virat Kohli,” said the World Cup-winning captain.

In the IPL 10, we have seen another big Indian player Rohit Sharma come back from an injury. However, the Mumbai Indians skipper has largely struggled with the bat. He has three single-digit scores to his name in as many matches. Clarke, however, believes that Kohli will not face the same problem. He noted that Kohli will score runs straightaway.

“I think he will score runs straight away exactly like what we saw with AB de Villiers. Hope he opens the batting as that will give him the maximum length of time to bat. Even if he is at his fluent best and scores a 100 off 45 balls, even if it takes him 70 balls, I think Virat is a class player,” conceded Clarke.