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IPL Trophy. (BCCI/IPL Photo)
IPL Trophy. (BCCI/IPL Photo)
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IPL 2021: The UAE Government Would Allow 60 Percent Attendance For 2nd Phase Of IPL 2021 At UAE

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IPL 2021 received a big boost when the UAE government decided to allow 60 percent attendance at the stadiums for the second phase of the IPL 2021. This decision was taken after thorough consultations with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), as per the reports in the Telegraph.

Earlier, when the BCCI hosted the IPL 2021 in India before it got indefinitely postponed due to a bio-bubble breach, where no crowds were allowed at the venues, keeping the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in mind.

The Emirates Cricket Board are closely working the UAE government to allow fans inside stadiums during IPL 2021.
The Emirates Cricket Board is closely working with the UAE government to allow fans inside stadiums during IPL 2021.

IPL 2021: The UAE Government’s Decision To Allow 60 Percent Attendance Will Come As A Massive Boost For Players Playing IPL 2021

Likewise, no spectators were allowed to watch the games live during IPL 2020, when the entire tournament was played in the UAE. With 60 percent of the audience turning up at the stadiums, it will be a massive boost for the players while playing the IPL matches.

The BCCI had announced the entire schedule of the remainder of IPL 2021 last month. According to it, in the span of over 27 days, a total of 31 matches will be played.  Amit Mishra(DC), Sandeep Warrier, Varun Chakravarthy(KKR), and Wriddhiman Saha(SRH) contracted the virus. Chennai Super Kings’ batting coach Michael Hussey and bowling coach Laxmipathy Balaji had also contracted the virus in India which led to the indefinite postponement of IPL 2021.

Fans At An UAE Stadium During IPL Photo Credit: (Twitter)
Fans At An UAE Stadium During IPL Photo Credit: (Twitter)

The second phase of IPL 2021 will commence on September 19 with a game between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Dubai. A total of 31 games, including the playoffs, will be played in this phase of the tournament. It will come to a close with the final on October 15. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah are the three venues shortlisted to host the remaining IPL 2021 matches.

CSK and MI Are The First 2 Teams To Reach The UAE

Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians ©BCCI/IPL
Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians ©BCCI/IPL

Before the IPL 2021 came to an abrupt halt due to rising COVID-19 cases within the franchises, the Delhi Capitals (DC) were at the top of the table with 12 points (six wins in eight matches). CSK and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were second and third with five wins from seven games, while MI was fourth with four wins in seven matches.

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) have won three games each out of seven and eight matches, respectively. Kolkata Knight Riders won just two games out of seven, while Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) got over the line only once in seven appearances and is at the bottom of the points table.

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RCB leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in action during IPL 2020 | Saikat Das / Sportzpics for BCCI
RCB leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in action during IPL 2020 | Saikat Das / Sportzpics for BCCI
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Yuzvendra Chahal Still Hopes To Represent India In Tests

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Yuzvendra Chahal has seen several players younger than him make their Test debuts for India. Although India hasn’t considered him an option in red-ball cricket yet, the leg-spinner still harbours hopes of representing his nation in the longest format.

The 30-year-old has a solid record in first-class cricket, picking up 84 wickets in 31 games. However, the likes of Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Shahbaz Nadeem have featured ahead of him in recent years whenever India’s frontline spinners (Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja) have been unavailable for Tests.

RCB spin wizard Yuzvendra Chahal expresses his desire to play Test cricket

 

Yuzvendra Chahal Wants To Wear The Whites

Yuzvendra Chahal spoke to Sports Tak about his Test prospects, pointing to his stellar record in red-ball cricket over the past few years.

“Obviously, you want to wear the whites. If someone calls you a Test player, there is no bigger compliment. In the last 3-4 years, I have picked 50 wickets in the ten first-class matches, out of which two are India A games,” Chahal revealed.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been India’s frontline Test spinners for several years now, making the difference time and again. Axar Patel made a sensational start to his Test career too, running through the England side in the home series earlier in the year. But Yuzvendra Chahal isn’t too bogged down for not getting a look in, admitting he needs to improve further, considering the spin options India has presently.

Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin AFP
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin AFP

“You see Axar came in and did well. Ashwin, Jadeja and Kuldeep are already there, so you feel that 3-4 players are already in the reckoning and it will be difficult for you to get a chance. Especially when they are performing so well. Ashwin bhaiyya completed 400 Test wickets and Jaddu Pa has over 250 wickets. Looking at them you feel that you have to improve more to get a chance,” Chahal admitted.

From having made his debut for RCB in 2014 to earning a national call-up in 2016 and taking 100 wickets in the IPL, Yuzvendra Chahal has had an impressive career so far. In his young international career thus far, the 30-year old has bagged 92 and 62 wickets in 54 ODIs and 48 T20Is respectively.

Yuzvendra Chahal was not expecting to be part of India’s latest Test squad, with the team travelling to England for the World Test Championship final and the subsequent five-Test series against the host nation. But the leg-spinner interestingly revealed how he was hoping he would get a call-up when England toured India earlier this year.

“No, this time I wasn’t expecting a call-up. But yes, when England toured India and some of our spinners were injured, I felt somewhere that my name my prop up,” Chahal mentioned.

Axar Patel | Pankaj Nangia/ Sportzpics for BCCI
Axar Patel | Pankaj Nangia/ Sportzpics for BCCI

Shahbaz Nadeem and Washington Sundar were picked in absence of injured Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel in the 1st Test before Axar Patel’s stunning debut in the next Test. Axar Patel picked 27 wickets in 3 Tests finishing behind Ravichandran Ashwin who had 32 scalps.

Yuzvendra Chahal will get a chance to show his credentials when India takes on Sri Lanka in July. He is expected to be part of the Indian squad which will play three T20Is and three ODIs against the Lankans. In 106 IPL games since debuting for Mumbai in 2013, he has 125 scalps averaging 23.3.

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Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli (BCCI)
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Virat Kohli Never Sidelined Cricket And Was Always Focused, Irfan Pathan

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Irfan Pathan, the former Indian cricketer has shared his first impression of Virat Kohli as a youngster and said that despite the immense fame that he was amidst, the cricketer’s commitment never dwindled.

Irfan Pathan has shared his first impressions of a young Virat Kohli who broke into the senior cricket circuit in 2008 and enjoyed a lot of praise and recognition since his first season in the inaugural IPL 2008. Virat Kohli made his IPL debut in 2008, for RCB and has been associated with the team since then even captaining the franchise after leading India to a win in the 2008 Under-19 World Cup.

Virat Kohli, Irfan Pathan Image Source: Irfan Pathan, Virat Kohli/ Instagram
Virat Kohli, Irfan Pathan Image Source: Irfan Pathan, Virat Kohli/ Instagram

Irfan Pathan: Virat Kohli Never Sidelined Cricket And Has Always Kept His Focus

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has recalled those days when he played alongside a young Virat Kohli, who was later made the captain of the RCB in 2013. Irfan Pathan has remembered how Virat Kohli was all over the news and made it to page 3.

“Whenever I used to see Virat Kohli in the IPL, I only saw one player. Someone who was young, has reached a certain level and is now enjoying himself on and off the field.The next morning when you opened the newspaper, he was everywhere, on Page 3 you see him,” Irfan Pathan said in a video shared by Star Sports on Twitter.

Irfan Pathan (file photo) | Faheem Hussain/SPORTZPICS
Irfan Pathan (file photo) | Faheem Hussain/SPORTZPICS

The former India pacer added that despite the unimaginable amount of fame that Virat Kohli received at a young age, he remained focused on his game and that marks his commitment to the great sport.

“But he never sidelined cricket, and always kept his focus. That’s why you see Virat Kohli has become such a special player. It shows his commitment to the game.”

Virat Kohli was an opener several times in the IPL and may do it again in IPL 2021. In 61 innings, Virat Kohli has amassed over 2300 runs at an average of 47.86, striking at 140.17 as an opener in IPL. His five T20 tons have all come while batting at the top of the order as well. Overall, he is the leading run-scorer in IPL history with 5878 runs in 192 games averaging 38.16.

Virat Kohli Led RCB From 2013 And Has Been A Member Since IPL’s Inaugural Year 2008

The Indian Cricket Team’s Captain, popularly known as the Run Machine, Virat Kohli’s ability and hunger to score hundreds has taken the cricketing fraternity by storm. Ranked among the top 3 in each format is a testimony of how the stylist top-order batsman has evolved over the years.

The flamboyant cricketer was the captain of the Indian team that won the 2008 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup and since then there has been no looking back for King Virat Kohli. He is the new-age cricketer who is aggressive and expresses his mind on the field.

Virat Kohli, RCB
Virat Kohli, RCB

In 2008, Virat Kohli was inducted into the RCB squad and started leading the side in the year 2013. He donned the Orange Cap in IPL 2016. The highest-paid cricketer in IPL, Virat Kohli was the first one to be retained by his franchise ahead of the IPL 2018 Player Auction and will continue to lead his side in IPL 2021.

Virat Kohli scored a maximum of 973 runs which remains the highest in a single season in the ninth edition of the Indian Premier League in 2016 to guide his team to the finals of the tournament. The season saw him score as many as four centuries — the most by a player in a single season.  On 28 March 2019, he became the second player to reach 5000 IPL runs after Suresh Raina.

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Virat Kohli, RCB
Virat Kohli, RCB
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Virat Kohli Happy With RCB’s Acquisitions In IPL 2021 Auction

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Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper has expressed his happiness with the buys his franchise made during the IPL 2021 auction.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli loved his team’s acquisitions in IPL 2021 auction held in Chennai on Thursday. Saying that the franchise RCB got what they wanted, the 32-year-old added that the new additions to the team will help the franchise propel in the right direction.

Virat Kohli For Royal Challengers Bangalore @BCCI
Virat Kohli For Royal Challengers Bangalore @BCCI

Virat Kohli Praised Royal Challengers Bangalore Fans For Showing Support

Further, Virat Kohli praised RCB fans and called them the “best fanbase” and urged them to continue support. The Royal Challengers have never won the IPL but finished runners-up on three occasions between 2009 and 2016.

“Very very happy with our buys and the results we had in the auction. We got what we wanted for the balance and strength of our squad. We had a really good season last year and we believe that the new additions are going to propel us in the right direction going forward,” said Virat Kohli in a video posted on the official Twitter handle of RCB.

Daniel Sams has brought huge power to the Thunder's middle order Cricket Australia via Getty Images
Daniel Sams has brought huge power to the Thunder’s middle-order Cricket Australia via Getty Images.

“Hopefully, a couple of more steps further than the last year. Cannot wait to be back and get going for RCB this year. Just want to say once again, RCB fans are the best fanbase, we look forward to your support,” Virat Kohli added.

The Bangalore outfit also made some investment before the auction by trading Harshal Patel and Daniel Sams from Delhi Capitals (DC). After all the retention and trading, RCB was left with a purse of a whopping INR 35.7 crore and a maximum of 11 slots to fill including three overseas slots.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Retained 12 And Released 10 Cricketers

The team retained just 12 players while releasing as many as 10 players that included some notable names like Aaron Finch, Chris Morris, and Moeen Ali. RCB released Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Aaron Finch, Chris Morris, Pavan Negi, Parthiv Patel (retired), Dale Steyn (unavailable), Isuru Udana, Umesh Yadav from their IPL 2020 squad before IPL 2021.

While Chris Morris was one of the best performers for RCB, having bowled considerably well since a late inclusion in the squad in IPL 2020, Moeen Ali and Aaron Finch are also two popular names in white-ball cricket. In the 2020 season which was played in the UAE, Umesh Yadav played just 2 matches for RCB and went wicketless.

Umesh Yadav Image Credit: AP
Umesh Yadav Image Credit: AP

Australia limited-overs captain Aaron Finch, who was RCB’s senior opening batsman in IPL 2020, is one of the big names to have been released. Chris Morris, Moeen Ali, and Dale Steyn’s contracts with the franchise have also come to an end.

RCB bought Glenn Maxwell (Rs 14.25 crore, Kyle Jamieson (Rs 15 crore), Dan Christian (Rs 4.8 crore), and 5 other players at their base price. KS Bharat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Rajat Patidar, Sachin Baby were the other 5 buys along with Kyle Jamieson, Dan Christian, and Glenn Maxwell for RCB.

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Virat Kohli Should Not Be The Only One Held Responsible For RCB's Loss: Parthiv Patel
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers donning green jersey. Image Credit: Twitter.
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Virat Kohli Should Not Be The Only One Held Responsible For RCB’s Loss: Parthiv Patel

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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) once again returned home without the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy even though they reached the playoffs for the first time since 2016. And, yet another time RCB skipper Virat Kohli’s captaincy was under the radar with many suggesting the removal of him from the captain’s position. But his RCB teammate Parthiv Patel has disagreed to blame Kohli for the franchise’s failure solely.

Parthiv Patel, who was benched in the whole IPL 2020 season, admitted that RCB had the team this season who should have lifted the IPL title. After three seasons, they entered the playoffs but were kicked out of the tournament after SunRisers Hyderabad defeated them in the eliminator. The Bangalore-based franchise had an off day in batting as they set up below par 130 runs target. With the help of Jason Holder and Kane Williamson, SRH chased down the target easily.

“I personally felt that we had a team that could win the tournament. Everyone in the camp felt it. We had all the bases covered. Sometimes the playoff games just don’t go your way. Scoring 130 in a playoff game, we came very close. I thought we fought really hard, ” he said.

I feel Virat is not the only one who is responsible for RCB not winning: Parthiv Patel

Virat Kohli Should Not Be The Only One Held Responsible For RCB's Loss: Parthiv Patel
Image Credit: IPL.

Parthiv stated that the captain could not be entirely blamed for the team’s failure. The people behind the scene – coaches and other members who are involved in preparation-also have responsibilities on their shoulders to deliver.

“But as I said, you can’t just blame the captain. There are a lot of other things as well – there is director of cricket, there is head coach – there are a lot of other things involved in it. To blame the captain is also not true,” the wicketkeeper-batsman said.

“I personally feel he (Kohli) should not be the only one held responsible for RCB not winning. The role of Mike Hesson, Simon Katich – quite experienced coaches, been there and thereabouts. There isn’t just one factor that is responsible. I feel Virat is not the only one who is responsible for RCB not winning,” Parthiv Patel maintained. 

Virat Kohli Should Not Be The Only One Held Responsible For RCB's Loss: Parthiv Patel 1
Image Credit: IPL.

RCB had a good start to the tournament and ended at the fourth position in the points table. The slump of Virat Kohli in the latter half, unarguably, affected the Bangalore-based franchise.

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Gautam Gambhir Is One Of My Idol: Devdutt Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal. Image Credit: IPL.
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He Would Deliver Whenever His Team Would Require It The Most: Devdutt Padikkal Names His Idol

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Devdutt Padikkal, who has hogged the limelight for his brilliant performance for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, has mentioned Gautam Gambhir as one of his cricket idols. He is impressed with Gambhir’s quality to deliver whenever the team is under pressure.

Gautam Gambhir has played many such knocks, and the most crucial one was in the 2011 World Cup final. In the high-intense match against Sri Lanka, the top-order batsman scored 97 runs after Sachin Tendulkar, and Virender Sehwag was out for duck and 18 runs respectively. His significant contribution helped India to lift the World Cup title. And thus, such performances of Gambhir have influenced Devdutt Padikkal.

Gautam Gambhir is one of my cricket idols: Devdutt Padikkal

He Would Deliver Whenever His Team Would Require It The Most: Devdutt Padikkal Names His Idol 2
Devdutt Padikkal (Image Credit: IPL)

The Karnataka player wants to be like the former aggressive opener, who can be a reliable batsman even under a crunch situation. He has learned to remain calm without the game situation taking a toll on him.

“I used to enjoy his (Gambhir) batting and really liked the fact that he would deliver whenever his team would require it the most. Whenever the team was under pressure you could count on him. He is one of my cricket idols.

“I try to stay calm whatever situation may be. It is not easy to stay calm and be in the present because you can get carried away in a tournament like IPL, added the 20-year-old,” said Devdutt Padikkal.

Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli
Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli. Image Credit: IPL.

Sharing the dressing room with RCB’s massive players, including Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, Padikkal has understood to be a focus on the process rather than the results.

“I have learnt a lot with so many senior players around. It has changed my mindset as to how to deal with a lot of situations. They (senior players) keep themselves stable throughout the season regardless of how the team is performing and would focus on the process and not on the result,” the Karnataka batsman said. 

Devdutt Padikkal was awarded as the emerging player of the IPL 2020. He was the leading run-getter for RCB, scoring 473 runs, including five fifties, in 15 matches.

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Devdutt Padikkal Following Virat Kohli's Advise
Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. Image Credit: IPL.
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Devdutt Padikkal Follows Virat Kohli’s Advice To Excel

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The Emerging Player of the IPL 2020 Devdutt Padikkal has taken a lot of learnings from this season as he shared the dressing room with massive players of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The youngster has taken the advice of RCB captain Virat Kohli‘s advice to keep improving and not let success get into his head.

Devdutt Padikkal is one of the significant reasons why RCB reached the playoff race in IPL 2020. Batting as the opener, he was the leading run-getter, scoring 473 runs, including five fifties, in 15 matches. He dazzled cricket experts and fans with his clam and composure in the field although he is an aggressive left-hand batsman.

Devdutt Padikkal Follows Virat Kohli's Advice To Excel 3
Image Credit: IPL.

However, the instant fame and success have not carried away him. Talking to India Today, Devdutt Padikkal stated that he had to keep on still improving, and it was just the beginning. He added that the RCB skipper had also guided him to remain focused and ignore the outer voices.

“There’s a long way to go for me and there’s so much I have to improve upon. It’s just the beginning. Virat helped me along the way in terms of how to build innings. He asked me to continue to work hard and not let the success affect me. Keep pushing ahead and keep improving is what he told me, and that’s what I am going to do,” he said.

Devdutt Padikkal doesn’t want to take the burden of selection:

Devdutt Padikkal Follows Virat Kohli's Advice To Excel 4
Devdutt Padikkal (Image Credit: IPL)

The Karnataka player has learned to enjoy the game without thinking about his selection because he believes that constant effort will eventually open the door for him in the national team.

“Its important one should continue to enjoy the game and not get caught in thoughts regarding policy and playing for the country because that’s going to happen when the time is right,” Devdutt Padikkal maintained.

Before getting noticed worldwide, Padikkal was the renowned name in domestic cricket for the Karnatak team. He had a terrific 2019-20 season which had assured RCB of retaining him for the recently concluded season.

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Devdutt Padikkal Following Virat Kohli's Advise
Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. Image Credit: IPL.
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IPL 2020: RCB Should Not Think Of Removing Virat Kohli From Captaincy – Virender Sehwag

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While Gautam Gambhir has recommended Royal Challengers Bangalore to change the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain, Virender Sehwag didn’t feel the same way. He believes that rather than removing Virat Kohli from captaincy, RCB’s team management should focus on providing him with a proper team combination.

The two cricket pundit’s views came after RCB had to once again return without the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. They were knocked out of the tournament after their defeat in the eliminator match against SunRisers Hyderabad.

IPL 2020: RCB Should Not Think Of Removing Virat Kohli From Captaincy - Virender Sehwag 5
RCB. Image Credit: IPL.

According to Virender Sehwag, the real reason behind RCB’s failure doesn’t have to do with Virat Kohli’s captaincy but their unbalanced team combination. He stated that Virat Kohli’s captaincy would have been the problem had he also not been leading the national team to victories.

“A captain is only as good as his team. When Virat Kohli captains India, he is able to deliver the results. He wins matches – ODIs, T20Is Tests. But when he captains RCB, his team is not able to perform,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.

“It is very important for the captain to have a good team. So, I believe the management should not try and think of changing their captain and rather think of how they can improve this team. Who all should be added to the team to make sure their performance improves?”

Virender Sehwag suggests RCB needs a good opener and lower-order batsman:

IPL 2020: RCB Should Not Think Of Removing Virat Kohli From Captaincy - Virender Sehwag 6
Image Credit: IPL

Virender Sehwag points out that 13 seasons have passed, but RCB had no settled batting order with only AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli being their constant performers. He observes that if Padikkal gets good support from an opener while they also get one good lower-order batsman with Virat and de Villers performing like usual, RCB can beat any team.

“Every team has a settled batting order but RCB have never had that. It’s only ABD and Virat, who keep shuffling up and down the order,” Sehwag added.

“With Padikkal coming to the fore, I reckon RCB need to have one more opener and a good lower-order batsman. These five batsmen should be enough to win them matches. The same way, they’d have to trust their Indian fast bowlers. Everyone gets taken to the cleaners. It’s not as if Rabada, Morris and others haven’t been taken for runs.” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals and SunRisers Hyderabad will lock horns on Sunday to lock the spot in the grand finale of the IPL 2020.

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AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers (Image Credit: IPL)
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IPL 2020: AB de Villiers Apologises To Fans After RCB’s Ouster

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Having qualified for playoffs for the first time since 2016, Royal Challengers Bangalore could not capitalize on the opportunity. Because of their disappointing performance with the bat, they lost the eliminator against SRH and are returning home without a trophy. The defeat has disappointed not only the players but also the fans, who were supporting them for India. AB de Villiers has apologized to the supporters for not living up to their expectations this season.

Royal Challengers Bangalore had a promising start to the tournament winning seven games out of ten. They had got the perfect opener in the form of the youngster Devdutt Padikkal with Aaron Finch to support him. Virat Kohli had struggled in the first couple of matches but started hitting well after the first meeting against Rajasthan Royals. AB de Villiers also earned the new nickname ‘superhuman’ because of his rocket-fueling knocks. Fans began to have high hopes from them.

But their ship sank in the last four games, with setting poor totals, bowlers didn’t have enough target to defend. They lost four matches in a row before facing defeat in the eliminator. RCB skipper’s poor outing was also the main reason behind their downfall.

Thank you very for supporting: AB de Villiers to fans

Royal Challengers Bangalore
Royal Challengers Bangalore. Image Credit – IPL.

Taking to Twitter, RCB shared the last video of the dressing room where AB de Villiers sent a special message for their supporters.

“A memorable campaign came to a disappointing end, but the RCB players savour the final moments together in the dressing room before they fly out of Dubai.  PS: After about 80 consecutive days, this is our final 9 AM video for the #IPL,” RCB tweeted while sharing the video.

To all our RCB fans, thank you so much for the support. Wish you guys were here throughout the tournament, we could’ve done with a bit of support from you guys in the stadium but it wasn’t meant to be. Hopefully next time. Sorry about not going all the way. We gave it our best shot and we had a lot of fun. There’s a lot of positives which we will take on board moving forward. Thank you very for supporting us and always being behind us,” AB de Villiers said in the video uploaded on RCB’s Twitter handle.

Now, SRH and DC will fight for the finalist spot and to take on Mumbai Indians for deciding the winners of IPL 2020.

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Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, RCB
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
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IPL 2020: Royal Challengers Bangalore Cannot Do Well Without Virat Kohli And AB de Villiers – Aakash Chopra

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Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has said that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) needs to find a way to score without Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. According to him, the over-reliance on the duo is hurting them.

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra observed the game between RCB and SRH. He noted that the big players- Kohli and de Villiers, need to deliver during the crunch situation for RCB. Virat Kohli was out at 7 while AB de Villiers (56 off 43 balls) could not survive till death overs to put a fighting total.

“RCB cannot do without Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. They are both amazing players, once in a generation kind of player. You will be looking towards them if you are in this team as they are the best players in the team,” Aakash Chopra said. 

IPL 2020: Royal Challengers Bangalore Cannot Do Well Without Virat Kohli And AB de Villiers - Aakash Chopra 7
Virat Kohli. Image Credit: IPL.

Aakash Chopra said that RCB themselves believes that they could only win games if Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers put up good scores. As per him, the franchise needs to change this mindset.

“While it is great, but if the whole DNA of the team or the belief of the team, and I talking from an outsiders perspective, it seems like this team from within believes that they can only win if Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers do well.”

Aakash Chopra on over-reliance on Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers:

IPL 2020: Royal Challengers Bangalore Cannot Do Well Without Virat Kohli And AB de Villiers - Aakash Chopra 8
AB de Villiers (Image Credit: IPL)

The renowned commentator said that the other players, including Devdutt Padikkal, had great seasons but their performance gets overshadowed because of Kohli and de Villers’s presence.

“Although the other players are no less. Devdutt Padikkal had a very good season. Aaron Finch is a big player, Moeen Ali is a big player. This team also had Quinton de Kock, a lot of big players have come in this team and gone but when they are here it seems they are in the shadows of Kohli and De Villiers.”

Aakash Chopra stated that RCB could only be successful if they figure out a way to get across the line even when Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers don’t do well.

“They will have figure out a way to have a successful life even when Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers don’t do well. How that will happen, I don’t have an answer for that but I do feel it is there and it should change at some stage,” Aakash Chopra concluded.

Having entered the playoffs for the first time since 2016, RCB failed to capitalise the opportunity but the next season awaits for them.

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