Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fast bowler Dillon du Preez remembered how former coach Ray Jennings made a daring prediction about Virat Kohli back in 2009. Kohli signed RCB as part of the U-19 draft picks in 2008 and was maintained by the franchise for the 2nd season.
While Kohli had not constructed his place in the Indian team, Jennings predicted the skillful batter would become the upcoming skipper of the national side. The prediction is shown that Kohli took over the team’s reins from MS Dhoni in all 3-formats of cricket.
According to an interview with Swagcricket.com, Dillon du Preez recalled the 2009 season and answered:
“Virat was still a youngster in 2009, didn’t really know him that well, but from day 1, you could see this guy could play. I remember Ray Jennings telling Virat he will be the next Indian captain, What a vision! Till today he is one of my favorites to watch.”
Being in the Royal Challengers Bangalore dressing room transformed my life: Dillon du Preez.
Dillon du Preez, at this time, works as the assistant coach of the South African women’s squad. Despite the fast bowler never performing in the international cricket for South Africa, he did turn out in a couple of games for Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) in IPL 2009.
When inquired about his experience of apportionment the dressing room with the likes of Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Kevin Pietersen, and other top performers, du Preez answered:
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“Being in the change room of RCB definitely changed my life. I remember sitting there in the corner to my right; I .had Dravid, and to my left, Kumble was sitting.”
“When I looked in front of me, I saw Pietersen, Kallis, Boucher, Taylor, Virat, and the 2 Kumar’s (Praveen and Bhuvneshwar). I remember thinking…. What the hell am I doing here. You can’t buy the experience in that change room,” he added.
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