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No Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell? Who Will Open With Virat Kohli For RCB In IPL 2025

Anurag Dasgupta

Who will open alongside Virat Kohli [Source: AP Photo] Who will open alongside Virat Kohli [Source: AP Photo]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to resume after a brief suspension on Saturday with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The tournament was put on hold due to the ongoing conflicts between India and Pakistan, but now it will resume with a mouth-watering game.

Why English players are unlikely to be available?

The IPL final was set to take place on May 25, but with the postponement of the tournament, it will now be held on June 3 and it disrupts RCB's campaign since England West Indies will play a white-ball series and the key English players for the Red Army are unlikely to come back for the remainder of the IPL.

So, with the likes of Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell and Liam Livingstone unlikely to play any further part, the question arises, who will open alongside Virat Kohli?.

Who will open alongside Virat Kohli?

Mayank Agarwal

If Devdutt Padikkal was there, the left-handed batter would have easily slot into the opening spot. But with him being ruled out due to an injury, Mayank Agarwalm his replacement is likely to play as an opener.

In his previous stint with RCB and PBKS, Mayank flourished as an opener and is likely to bat alongside Kohli as RCB aim to win their maiden IPL title. Batting at the top is his natural strength and with no Padikkal and Salt (most likely), Mayank has a great chance to showcase his skills once again.

Swastik Chikara

If Agarwal is asked to play at the number 3 spot, which was occupied by Padikkal, then RCB could play a punt by including X-factor, Swastik Chikara to partner Kohli. Bought for a price of INR 30 lakh, Chikara made a name for himself when he slammed a century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

For his domestic team, Chikara bats at number 3, but if needed, he could be asked to open for the team, especially when the Royal Challengers have limited options left.