Press Trust of India
Bangalore, April 11: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli remembered Monday former franchise director Vijay Mallya for picking him in the team and providing an opportunity to rub shoulders with the world’s best players.
“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 want to thank him for that because I have learnt so much here by getting the chance 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 (SRH) at the Chinnaswamy stadium here Tuesday.
Mallya, who has defaulted in loans in excess of `9,000 crore has resigned from the post of director in RCB. The 60-year-old bought RCB in 2008 but the popular franchise has not been able to win a single IPL title in eight attempts.
Replying to a query, Kohli said even though RCB have failed to win the title even once, he is proud that they have had a number of top three finishes.
“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 asserted.
Kohli said he wouldn’t comment about their chances of lifting the title this season, but their No.1 priority would be not to depend on any other team to reach the play-offs stage.
“I wouldn’t like to comment. Too long a tournament to think of 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. Then we will take it one match at a stage,” the Indian Test captain pointed out.
On Mitchel Starc’s absence, Kohli said the team would miss the Aussie pacer, but they have Shane Watson who is economical as he thinks like a batsman, and also Harshal Patel and Adam Milne to form a good bowling attack.
