Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are yet to win an IPL title despite having some of the game’s superstars at their disposal over the years.
Under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, the franchise has failed to qualify for the play-offs in the last three seasons. While Kohli had an extraordinary year with the bat, smashing four centuries in IPL 2016 wherein they reached the final, RCB have finished 8th, 6th and 8th in the eight-team table in the subsequent editions.
WATCH – Virat Kohli explains why he can never think of leaving RCB
Ahead of the 13th edition of Indian Premier League, however, skipper Kohli feels there is a different vibe in the camp this time around and it could be a breakthrough season for them.
“The 2016 IPL, we all loved to be a part of (it). Since then, this is the most balanced I have felt about (the) squad,” the Indian skipper said on RCB’s Youtube show ‘Bold Diaries’.
“I (have) never felt so calm going into a season before. He (ABD) is coming from a very different space and he is enjoying his life and is very relaxed and fit as ever. I feel I am in a much better space, much more balanced, when it comes to environment of (the) IPL,” he added.
This is the first time Virat feels that he isn’t carrying any baggage.
“Disconnecting with things that have happened in the past and not taking that baggage, as we have done that way too many times,” he responded to a query on what has changed for him this season.
“Just because we have a bunch of players that are so skilled, people like seeing them play is the reason people have had so much expectation as well.”
Kohli also pointed out that Mike Hesson’s appointment as the head of coaching staff is a great move as the former New Zealand in-charge can act as a bridge between “management and players”.
“They (RCB owners) have had a great balance of knowing when to have a conversation and (also) knowing at times ‘okay these guys (players) know what the are doing’,” he said.
“…the reason they got someone like Mike (Hesson) (as they know) that he can be a mediator. Communication is very nicely designated this time. I feel they (owners) are taking their responsibility and we as players will take our responsibility as usual.
“I believe we won’t be overburdened this time around which is a great thing to know,” Kohli further remarked.
The RCB captain expects great things from South African pacer Chris Morris, Australian white-ball skipper Aaron Finch and his unknown compatriot Josh Philippe in the upcoming IPL.
“Morris brings in a lot of balance. Aaron Finch is someone who has experience of playing international cricket for a while. Some of the youngsters we have picked this time are quite exciting too like Josh Philippe, a very exciting player,” he said.
BCCI unveiled the IPL 2020 schedule on September 6 and it was confirmed that RCB will open their campaign against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 21.
The 13th edition of IPL will kick-start on September 19. Defending Champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the tournament opener in Abu Dhabi.
