IPL 2020 – Aaron Finch will take captaincy burden off Virat Kohli: Monty Panesar

Royal Challengers Bangalore will kick-start their IPL 2020 journey against David Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad. For the first time, Virat Kohli’s team is going about the tournament in a relaxed manner. In the pre-match pressers, Kohli has looked relaxed and has expressed confidence in the side which he has termed ‘balanced’ for the first time since 2016. When one looks at the squad of Royal Challengers Bangalore, there is depth in both batting and bowling.

However, it is the addition of Finch that might prove to be the game-changer for Royal Challengers Bangalore. The Australian right-hander aggressively opens the batting and he also has leadership qualities, something that Virat Kohli will be backing on if Royal Challengers Bangalore have to be consistent. Speaking to WION’s show IPL Shorts, England spinner Monty Panesar has said that Finch will be the key for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2020.

“Aaron Finch's addition will help Virat Kohli with some crucial calls. It is a really good addition to their squad. Virat Kohli is the captain, he has to score runs, he has to stand at key fielding positions to take those catches and I feel Finch will take that burden off him. It is about how can we help RCB get over the line. It is not about Virat Kohli's brilliance, it is about collective efforts. Adam Zampa is there in the team as well and I feel Finch can bring the best out of him and help Kohli with the workload. It will be all about 'guys how do we get RCB over the line' and 'how do we get RCB to win the first IPL'. I think the owners have thought about taking a bit of workload off Virat Kohli,” Panesar said.

Zampa, Rashid the stars in IPL 2020

When one looks at the squads for both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad, legspin dominates. The clash in Dubai will be the battle between Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa against Rashid Khan of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team. Rashid has been the best legspinner for the side in the last three years and many expect that the Afghanistan bowler will once again dominate in conditions in the UAE.

“All eyes will be on Rashid Khan, he is the best T20 spinner. He has proven you don't have to be a big turner of the ball. I have said previously as well that Rashid Khan will be the player to watch out for in this IPL and also Adam Zampa because he is getting better and better in T20 cricket. But if RCB get hold of Rashid Khan today then I don't see how can SRH win the game,” Panesar said.

The left-arm orthodox spinner also spoke about the controversial and erroneous one-run signal during Kings XI Punjab’s dramatic Super Over loss to Delhi Capitals in Dubai. Panesar stressed that people should not be harsh on the umpires but they have to make use of the technology available to them.

“It’s a thankless job but yes, that was a wrong call. Umpires have to use technology if it is available and if the rules don’t permit it then there should be a tweak so that we don’t see such mistakes in future. Kings XI Punjab have every right to be disappointed as it probably cost them crucial two points,” Panesar said.