In a quest to break their long-standing Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy drought, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) relies heavily on their top-order heavy side. It includes the likes of highly valued batters Virat Kohli and captain Faf du Plessis.
Kohli is playing as an opener in IPL 2023 alongside the former South Africa captain. The RCB openers have a similar experience in their playing career. Kohli and du Plessis have led their national teams in the shortest format and the franchise, besides their knack for playing quick-fire knocks at the top order. However, the players have different monetary values in the RCB setup for the lucrative tournament.
Kohli, one of the long-serving ambassadors for the franchise, has a retention fee of INR. 15 crore per season. Du Plessis, meanwhile, was bought for INR. 7 crore ahead of the IPL 2022 auction and retained for the same price. The former RCB captain earns INR. 1,07,14, 285 per match, while his successor makes INR. 50,00,000 every game.
Although RCB has made a decent start to the season, winning three and losing as many, one of the positives is the contributions from Kohli and du Plessis. Kohli is the third-highest run-scorer in the IPL 2023, with 279 runs amassed at an average of 55.80 and a strike rate of 142.34. Given that the former India captain relies more on his fine stroke-making abilities, he has hit only 11 sixes and 25 boundaries. On the other hand, the South African is currently the Orange Cap holder in the tournament for most runs. He has amassed 343 runs from six matches, including four half-centuries at an average of 68.80 and a strike rate of 166.50 It includes 25 boundaries and 23 sixes.
The value of 11 sixes hit off Kohli’s willow is INR. 9,74,025, while the 23-six off du Plessis is valued at INR. 2,17,391. The difference between the value per six Kohli and du Plessis hit is INR. 57,14,285, equivalent to the difference in their match fee per game.
Kohli has hit scores of 59, 6, 50, 61, 21, and 82*, while du Plessis has registered scores of 84, 62, 22, 79*, 23, and 73 in his last six innings. The talismanic duo will be crucial for the franchise in the remaining matches of the league stage to earn them a berth in the playoffs.
RCB is at the fifth spot, with six points from as many matches. Their Net Run Rate of -0.068 puts them in a spot of bother, but given the prowess of their in-form batters, the franchise can better it in the remaining games. The franchise will next face table toppers Rajasthan Royals on April 23.
