The 27-year-old scored 214 runs with a strike rate of 194.54 for Kerala in the 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Former India international Virender Sehwag has backed Mohammed Azharuddeen to open for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2021 Indian Premier League.
The 27-year-old scored 214 runs with a strike rate of 194.54 for Kerala in January’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, including a high-score of 137 not out, but is yet to feature in this year’s IPL.
RCB are currently using captain Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal as their opening partnership, with the duo scoring a combined 393 runs in 2021. However, Kohli – who scored 466 runs, including three 50s, for RCB last season – has only passed fifty once in seven innings.
Following RCB’ s surprise 34-run defeat to Punjab Kings, Sehwag has suggested Kohli’s side shuffle their starting XI.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Sehwag said: "I think Virat should come back to his original position of number three, and consider Mohammed Azharuddeen for the opening role. He looks like a better option right now than Patidar. Kohli should be number three, with Maxwell and ABD to follow.
"It would mean that you will have three world-class players in the middle-order. If Devdutt Padikkal and Azharuddeen don't do the job at the top, then these three are capable enough to bail the side out of trouble."
RCB are currently in third position in the IPL, having won five and lost two of their opening seven matches. They face Kolkata Knight Riders on May 3.
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