‘Some similarity between 2016 and 2023’ – Aakash Chopra names Virat Kohli as Orange Cap contender in IPL 2023

Aakash Chopra. (Photo Source: Twitter)

After decimating Mumbai Indians in their opening game of the season, Royal Challengers Bangalore are in a comfortable position and will be hoping to finally end the drought and win their first IPL trophy in 2023. However, to do so, the senior players will have to step up time and again, just like how they did in the first match. Notably, the duo of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis were phenomenal as RCB chased 172 runs in 16.2 overs against Mumbai Indians.

Kohli smashed 82* runs off 49 deliveries and former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that the 34-year-old will remain in the race for Orange Cap this year. Meanwhile, talking about du Plessis, Chopra termed him an “aggressor” and hailed him for his terrific performance.

“From Virat Kohli’s knock, it seems he will remain in the Orange Cap race this year. There is some similarity between 2016 and this season. He was in sublime form for six months at the international level ahead of IPL 2016. Now also he is close to that sublime form at the international level.

“Faf du Plessis was the aggressor. He went fast at the start and then Virat Kohli caught up. When you are chasing and especially if it is the Chinnaswamy ground, one plus one is not two, but it becomes 11 when two openers play like that,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra analyses MI’s batting against RCB

According to Chopra, Rohit Sharma and Tim David will have to score runs in the upcoming matches and if they don’t, the team will be struggling to do well in the competition. The 45-year-old also appreciated youngster Tilak Verma for his sensational batting against RCB and also pointed out the fact that MI have plenty to ponder at the moment.

“Mumbai were asked to bat first but they couldn’t bat. What a spell from Siraj. Ishan Kishan got out and Rohit Sharma should have also been out. Cameron Green was dismissed by Reece Topley. Tilak Varma has the might. The way he played when Mumbai were struggling was absolutely thumbs up.

“Mumbai have once again lost the first match and they have got plenty to ponder. If they don’t bat well, if Rohit and Tim David don’t score runs, this team will be seen struggling. Suryakumar Yadav was slightly unfortunate, the cut shot went straight to the hands, but he did get out,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added.