With Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – one of the crowd-favourite Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises is tipped to turn the tables in the IPL 2019. RCB’s batting mainstay AB de Villiers is positive about the developments taking place within the RCB camp.
Also, de Villiers cited a couple of reasons for RCB’s reinforcement in the competitive Twenty20 league.
Earlier, in IPL 2018, Virat Kohli-led Bengaluru-based franchise has finished sixth on IPL points table. They’ve lost as many as eight matches in 14 outings.
IPL 2019: AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli focus on RCB’s potential:
The dismal show in their previous season has pushed the management to plug in the loopholes for the about-to-start twelfth edition of the IPL. RCB is set to face-off defending champions – Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23 in Chennai.
“Our shared squad resolve to be the most professional squad, on and off the field; our captain Virat Kohli has stressed the importance of doing things right at all times. And so giving ourselves the best chance of performing to our potential.” de Villiers wrote in a column for the ToI.
Many are of the view including RCB’s world-class batsman de Villiers that Kohli’s team will break the shackles after being considered as perennial chokers.
Well, former South African skipper de Villiers also revealed they didn’t deserve to win when they kept on repeating the mistakes.
IPL 2019: RCB has a balanced squad for season 12
On dissecting the previous squads of RCB, de Villiers said it’s the right squad in terms of balance and wealth of experience. He added such aspect carries significance in crunch situations of the game.
“We have balance, not only in cricketing terms but also in experience; this has not always been the case in past RCB squads. But the balance between bat and ball feels right, the balance between experience and youth feels right,” de Villiers added.
Apart from picking some interesting names, RCB has introduced the coaching staff with former Proteas skipper Gary Kirsten serving as a chief coach.
In the bowling department, Ashish Nehra will guide RCB bowlers.
With the onus on de Villiers’ shoulders too, he maintained the 2011 World Cup-winning coach for India, Kirsten will bring a lot on the table owing to his wealth of experience at the international fold.
IPL 2019: Gary Kirsten is a proven leader: AB de Villiers
De Villiers sees Kirsten as a motivator. He added Kirsten is the one who pays attention to minutest of the details. He added such things will help the teams in a longer run.
“Gary Kirsten has arrived as head coach, bringing vast experience and knowledge to the squad. He is a proven leader of men, and his attention to detail in all aspects of the game is remarkable. I have worked with him before. It’s wonderful to see him so determined and motivated to guide this squad,” de Villiers pointed out.
In addition, the inclusion of impressive Windies batsman Shimron Hetmyer and Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen will remain the focal point in RCB’s camp.
De Villiers maintained that Klaasen has shown the signs of playing spin well, back home. He added Klaasen will benefit RCB in the middle-order department.
“Heinrich Klaasen will prove a crucial middle-order batsman with excellent ‘big match temperament’ who plays the spinners well; I know him from Titans in Pretoria, and he can prove a fantastic asset,” de Villiers said.
Over the years, Kohli and de Villiers lead batting department, well. Besides, it would be quite interesting how youngsters could introduce themselves in the fast-paced tournament.
Meanwhile, in few hours time RCB will take on the CSK in the much-awaited curtain-raiser of season 12.