Royal Challengers Bangalore started their new season on a positive note,. After a dismal performance last year the side finally won their first game leaving behind all the pre-IPL disappointment and negativity. Virat Kohli’s boys started off their season in brilliant fashion with debutant Devdutt Padikkal providing an initial flourish to set up a good platform for the side. He was well supported by Charismatic Australian skipper Aaron Finch. After derailing in the middle overs, Royal Challengers Bangalore finished off on a high note courtesy late counter-attack by AB De Villiers.
The side eventually won the game after brilliant efforts from the ball by the upcoming Indian speedster Navdeep Saini and ever-dependent Yuzvendra Chahal. Virat Kohli talked about the side’s performance in the game and talked about what changed in their performance in the game which led to a winning effort by the side.
Virat Kohli talks about the mammoth effort from Yuzvendra Chahal:
Kohli talking to the press talked about how the team maintained their composure in the game despite lagging behind in a large part of the match. He particularly praised Yuzvendra Chahal who according to him proved his quality by performing on a wicket which wasn’t so welcoming to other spinners. Virat Kohli heaped praise on the wrist spinner. He said “When they needed 43 I think off five, just had a chat in the middle saying ‘no shoulders dropping till the last run is scored. The game can change anytime.’ And Yuzi comes in, the strike bowler that he’s been for us, and changes the game completely in that over.
Virat Kohli further stated “Not many other spinners got too much out of the pitch, but tonight he showed that if you have skill in the wrist, you can purchase on any track,”
Kohli compared the Dubai International Stadium to their home ground in Bangalore. He added “That’s why he bowls well in Bangalore too. The dew was a big factor tonight; the pitch was decent to bat on in the second half I thought – much better than the first half. But the way he came in, backed his skill and got the ball to turn and bowled attacking lines. He was the one who changed the game, in my opinion.”
Yuzvendra Chahal reveals his three plans for three wickets:
Chahal who turned the game on its head talked to the press after the game. He revealed his plan which proved successful against the batsmen. Chahal revealed that he had three different plans for three wickets and how he envisaged the game. Chahal stated “When I bowled to Pandey I had the cover fielder back, so maybe he thought I’ll bowl outside off-stump.” he explained. “But that ball, I bowled on the stumps.
He further revealed his plan for Bairstow “For Bairstow, I knew that we need his wicket that over to come back into the game, even if I go for runs. That’s why I bowled it a bit fuller, but a bit on the legside, because it is very hard to hit from there since the ball is turning. And when Vijay (Shankar) came, Virat bhaiyya and AB (de Villiers) sir, we had decided that the first ball I will bowl a googly.”
Virat Kohli praised the combined effort of the team and praised the effort of the entire team. The season has started on a positive note for Kohli and co and they would love to lengthen the period of success.