IPL 2021: Virat Kohli very confident of RCB squad – Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli is a confident man ahead of the IPL 2021. After bolstering the squad with Glenn Maxwell, Kyle Jamieson and some domestic stars, he said that his RCB squad is “very strong”. RCB will open their campaign against defending champions Mumbai Indians on April 9.
At the pre-tournament press conference, Virat Kohli said he would like RCB to go a couple of steps further than the last season where they exited from the eliminator, despite starting the tournament on a promising note.
“With a stronger squad this time, I expect it to be another good season. We had a good time last season. I am very excited to see the IPL back in India. We have some very exciting Indian players. I personally feel very relaxed with the resources we have. The aim will be to go a couple of steps further than last season,” Virat Kohli said in a virtual press conference ahead of the IPL 2021.
One final dress rehearsal before tomorrow’s main event!
You know where to catch all the action, 12th Man Army! Don’t miss it!https://t.co/cxnynMsZay#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/03ardAq2oj
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 8, 2021
One aspect that Kohli believes will work for RCB is the absence of home advantage. While RCB have had some memorable performances at the home ground in M Chinnaswamy Stadium, he believes the lack of home advantage is a blessing as the tournament will be more competitive.
“There is nothing quite playing like in Chinnaswamy in front of your home crowd and I understand that obviously fans will miss watching us play. But the good thing is that we are back in India and one more positive is there is no home advantage. Every team is playing in neutral venues and the strength of your squad really comes to the fort. Precisely why last IPL was so competitive, until about the last three-four games, everyone was in reckoning to qualify,” Kohli said.
“I think it was great for the tournament. The viewership went through the roof which I expect to be the case this time around as well and the tournament will be very competitive this time around too,” Kohli added.
IPL 2021: Virat Kohli very confident of RCB squad- Ahead of the IPL 2021 Auctions, RCB trimmed the squad, releasing underperforming players like Moeen Ali, Chris Morris and Umesh Yadav amongst others. But they bought in an experienced campaigner like Glenn Maxwell besides a fast bowler like Kyle Jamieson and all-rounder like Daniel Christian. Furthermore, RCB added some young talents such as Mohammed Azharuddeen and Rajat Patidar amongst others. He expects them to perform and end RCB’s title drought.
RCB squad for IPL 2021: Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Finn Allen (wk), AB de Villiers (wk), Pavan Deshpande, Washington Sundar, Daniel Sams, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Kane Richardson, Harshal Patel, Glenn Maxwell, Sachin Baby, Rajat Patidar, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Kyle Jamieson, Daniel Christian, Suyash Prabhudessai, KS Bharat