Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra said that IPL 2024 will present Virat Kohli with an opportunity to bat at No. 3 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He also added that it’s the role Kohli is expected to play in the T20 World Cup. However, Kohli amassed 639 runs which came at a strike rate of 139.82 in 14 innings as an opener in IPL 2023. But he is unlikely to open for India in the T20 World Cup as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube, Chopra said: “A question could be whether Virat Kohli will open only or come down the order. Why am I saying that? When India’s team will be made for the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli will bat at No. 3. It might be in his mind that he is seeing that challenge going ahead, so he should prepare for that from today.”

“Is that a possibility? No one has said this but it is not out of context as well because you expect absolutely perfect preparation from Virat Kohli. So that could be a reason for him to play at No. 3 as he is going to play for India at No. 3. Quite a possibility,” the former India opener further added.

Aakash Chopra also said that Cameron Green, who was traded in from the Mumbai Indians before the IPL 2024 auction, can partner Faf du Plessis at the top of the order for RCB if Kohli opts to bat at No. 3 as well. He also named Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green among the
other RCB players with great opportunities this season as well.

“Rajat Patidar – if you haven’t performed well in Tests, this is your chance. Cameron Green – live up to the reputation. If you play him 10 matches at No. 3 (if he doesn’t open), he will deliver. However, if you move him up and down the order, that could be an issue. There are opportunities for Karn Sharma and massive opportunities for the spin department. You will play either Alzarri Joseph or Lockie Ferguson for sure. Both have opportunities. A lot of money was spent on Alzarri. They got Lockie cheap but he is a gun bowler. Then Mohammed Siraj, Vyshak Vijaykumar and Akash Deep,” Aakash Chopra concluded.