RCB are wearing green jersey as part of their Go Green initiative a tradition that began in 2011.
With regular captain Faf du Plessis still nursing an injury, RCB opted to feature the veteran South African batter as an Impact Player for the second time after doing so against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their previous match in Mohali.
This time they were against IPL 2023 table toppers Rajasthan Royals (RR) led by Sanju Samson and Virat Kohli donned the green RCB jersey for their environment-friendly initiative.
Kohli is leading RCB at the Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first time since the 2019 edition of the IPL and at the toss, he revealed that he was thinking about his record with the coin when RCB director of cricket Mike Hesson talked to him earlier.
And Kohli went on to lose the toss to Sanju Samson who chose to bowl first.
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“It was pretty easy to choose, we'd have batted first. This wicket looks dry and it will get drier and might break up first. I didn't say that to Sanju, but I'm very happy to bat first. We both get to do what we wanted. Mike Hesson asked me, 'What are you feeling?' I said, 'Nothing that I'm used to!' The only thing I was thinking about was the toss! My toss record hasn't been great,” Kohli said at the toss.
"They informed me last time saying I might have to captain a couple of games, nothing I'm not used to doing. So I'm happy to step in, ready to continue with whatever Faf has been doing. The team has responded well, we are playing with a lot of energy, and that showed in the last game. One change for us, Wayne Parnell is out and he will be replaced by David Willey. Faf continues to play as an impact sub," Kohli added.
Kohli’s first outing as skipper of RCB in front of the home crowd after 4 years ended in disappointment as he was handed a golden duck by RR pacer Trent Boult on the first ball of the match.
(PTI inputs)