Virat Kohli To Miss IPL 2025 Playoffs? 3 RCB Stars Who Can Replace Him As Opener

Debashis Sarangi

Virat Kohli could skip IPL playoffs if he plays County cricket [Source: @IPLT20.com]Virat Kohli could skip IPL playoffs if he plays County cricket [Source: @IPLT20.com]

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According to emerging reports, India's talismanic batter Virat Kohli might play in the County Championship to prepare for the upcoming Test series against England. Kohli had a forgettable tour of Australia, where he managed only 190 runs at a mediocre average of 23.75. 

His prolonged rough patch and inability to resolve his technical woes outside the off stump have raised serious question marks over his place in the Indian Test side. Therefore, it will be appreciated if he decides to grind in the County Championship and fine-tune his game against the moving ball before the England series. However, if he does so, he might miss the IPL 2025 playoffs, provided Royal Challengers Bengaluru qualify for the same. 

In such a scenario, RCB can consider three replacements for Kohli at the top order, as mentioned below. 

Devdutt Padikkal

  • Experienced Indian opener Devdutt Padikkal will be the frontrunner to replace Virat Kohli as RCB's opener if the latter misses the IPL 2025 playoffs. The stylish southpaw is a flamboyant stroke player and can strengthen RCB's top order with the dynamic Phil Salt. 
  • In 37 IPL innings as an opener, Padikkal has struck 1015 runs, including a century and seven fifties, at an average of 28.19. He is a local player and can be beneficial for the Bengaluru-based side on M. Chinnaswamy Stadium's batting-friendly surface. 

Swastik Chikara

  • Young Indian batter Swastik Chikara is another player who can replace Kohli if he misses the IPL 2025 playoffs due to County commitments. 
  • Although he doesn't have a great T20 record, Swastik is hailed as one of the bright prospects in the Indian domestic circuit and can emerge as a game-changer if he is given a consistent run in the IPL. 

Jacob Bethell

  • England's young batting sensation Jacob Bethell is hailed for his scintillating stroke play in white-ball cricket. In 52 T20 innings, Bethell has slammed 1016 runs, including six fifties, at an impressive strike rate of 138.04. 
  • If Virat Kohli opts out of the IPL 2025 playoffs due to a County Championship commitment, Bethell could be paired up with fellow Englishman Phil Salt, as the duo can provide RCB with a brisk start in the powerplay.