IPL 10: Virat Kohli has serious plans to revive RCB campaign

The dynamic Indian batsman Virat Kohli is all set to return to the playing field after a break of almost one month. In his absence, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have largely struggled. They have failed to get their act right and have registered just one win out of their three attempts in this tournament till now. Kohli will be back to captaincy duties for the team in their second home game of the season against the Mumbai Indians.

In a recent conversation with the India Today, Virat Kohli spoke at length how he plans to refurbish the RCB campaign with his inputs. There have been a lot of talks about the current form of the team as they have looked rusty in all aspects of the game. The batting has not clicked and the bowling has been lackluster as well. Kohli, however, believes that the campaign can still be revived. He noted that his return will add balance to the side.

“Now with me coming back and all specialist batsmen playing, the thinking might change back again. Bangalore has generally been a ground where you can chase down high totals and tomorrow being a day game obviously that really matters a lot because under the lights the wicket is better during the daytime,” quoted Virat Kohli.

One of the surprising calls that the RCB camp made in the last game was to exclude Chris Gayle from the lineup. They drafted in another superstar AB de Villiers but at the expense of the big Jamaican. Kohli conceded that for the home games of the RCB this season, Chris Gayle is going to be a key member of the side. It was the balance of the team that forced Gayle to be out of the starting eleven in the last match.

“Chris has always been a priority for us in the past so many seasons. Last game was a scenario where AB came in, Watto came in and other two guys were bowling well. I think that is why Chris was left out in the last game, but yes what works for us in Bangalore we would definitely go with the strongest combination possible. Chris is the top contender for us to be playing the home games for us,” said the RCB skipper.

Virat Kohli did not travel with the team in the first two matches of the season. He was asked for the reason about the same. The Indian captain affirmed that it was an intentional call in order to focus on his own recovery. Kohli shared words for Shane Watson and AB de Villiers as well. Talking about Watson’s captaincy, Kohli noted that he is happy with the way Watson led the team in his absence. About AB de Villiers, he refused to comment as he feels AB is a master of the game and knows his own game the best.

“Once you travel with the team, there is a lot happening and to focus on one guy is not fair. So you rather stay away and then do your work. I just wanted to let the guys focus on their game and then do their work on the sidelines,” he said.

“I am in no position to judge anyone. I have said this about myself as well. I am not a senior in terms of captain- ship. Yes, I have learnt a lot along the way and I continue to do so. Shane I think did a very good job. He has been very patient with them. He had his plan spot on,” said Kohli about Shane Watson.

“With AB you never question anything because he understands his game better than anyone else. We are not bothered with him of not having a practice today. It was a conscious decision by him which is to have a bit of time away from the game,” remarked the RCB skipper about AB de Villiers.