My association with RCB has been special: Virat Kohli

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli expressed his happiness about representing Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. He said that his time with the franchise has been exciting and he love the team, fans, and the city.

“My association with RCB has been special as it has been exciting from the first season. I was chosen to play for RCB by Mr Mallya. I have learnt so much and getting to play with the world’s best players. I am welcomed here warmly, I love this franchise, the city, fans, deep connection,” he told reporters on the eve of his team’s face-off with Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chinnaswamy stadium.

RCB boasts one of the strongest squads among the IPL franchise. But, strangely haven’t won any title in the past eight edition. Kohli, replying to this query, said that the team obviously feels bad about not winning the title for the last eight seasons but it takes pride in being among the top three teams.

“There is always a feeling that we haven t been able to lift the title having been runners-up twice. That is one hurdle we haven t been able to cross despite wanting to, but as a team, we have been among top three,” he said.

Kohli added that the team’s number one priority is to reach the play-offs stage first and then think about the title as the tournament is too long.

“I wouldn’t like to comment. Too long a tournament to think of the winning the title. We would like to be in a position to reach the play-offs first on our own effort and not depend on other teams, run rate, etc. Our number one priority is not to depend on any other team to reach the play-offs stage,” he said.

One of world’s most deadly left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc is associated with this franchise but won’t be available this season as he suffering from an ankle injury. His absence is definitely a big setback for the team but Kohli says that he has bowler to make up for his loss. Speaking about his absence, Kohli said the team would miss the Aussie pacer, but they have Shane Watson, Harshal Patel, and Adam Milne to fill his place and form a good bowling attack.

“We will miss Starc, but we got Watson, who is very economical in bowling. An all-rounder like him can think like a batsman and bowl accordingly. We also got Harshal Patel, Adam Milne who is clocking 150, and Stuart Binny. We have a wonderful mix but everyone has to play their roles and work to potential,” he said.