AB de Villiers: Virat Kohli Leads RCB From The Front
by Nirmalya BanerjeeAB de Villiers, who is a former South African cricketer and batting mainstay of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) feels that skipper Virat Kohli always sets the right examples by leading from the front on every single occasion. RCB have an array of players this year and looks to be the underdogs to win IPL 2020. They have been boosted by the inclusion of Australian opener limited overs skipper Aaron Finch and South African all-rounder Chris Morris.
The late inclusion of Adam Zampa instead of pacer Kane Richardson further increased their spin attack already consisting of Yuzvendra Chahal, Pawan Negi, and Washington Sundar. Their pace attack will be spearheaded by Dale Steyn while also including Indian pacers like Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Siraj, and Navdeep Saini. Moeen Ali and Shivam Dube are all-rounders while the heavyweight batsmen are AB De Villiers and Virat Kohli.
AB de Villiers Credits Skipper Virat Kohli For Leading From Front And Setting Example
The IPL 2020 is slated to be played from September 19 to November 10 in the UAE across three venues — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Virat Kohli would lead RCB this time as well, with the likes of Aaron Finch, Chris Morris, Adam Zampa joining the side.
“I think the clarity about the IPL happening came one month back, more or less. BCCI has done a remarkable job in getting the IPL going, we are very excited to play the tournament. I am feeling better than ever so I am looking to be out there with the boys,” de Villiers said in a video posted on the official Twitter handle of RCB.
“We have worked so hard, we have a good work ethic, it really feels like everyone has bought into this hard-working environment. The credit needs to go to Virat, he sets the example and leads from the front. It is pretty easy to follow when you have a captain who is always leading from the front,” he added.
When asked how difficult it would be to come from a long break, the former Proteas skipper said: “It is natural to get breaks here and there, sometimes the schedule allows a period of no cricket for two months or so. Sometimes injuries happen and you are out for six or seven months. I know the feeling of coming back from a big break. It’s amazing how you can get back into the groove, nothing guarantees performance, but that’s the beauty of sport, you never know what to expect.”
Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer in IPL history with 5412 runs from 177 matches while AB De Villiers is 9th on the list of leading run-scorers with 4395 runs from 154 matches. The latter averages 39.95 while the former averages 37.84. Virat Kohli has 5 centuries to his name while AB De Villiers has 3 to his name.
AB de Villiers Says RCB Has Options In Each Department And Have Backups
The former South African skipper also said that the side has a different feel to it this year and the side has a lot of options for every department.
“There is a different feel this time, there is back up everywhere looking at our options. Virat and coaches can find the best playing XI, there are options in every single department, be it batting, bowling, and fielding,” de Villiers concluded.
RCB is yet to win the IPL title despite managing to reach the finals of 2009, 2011, and 2016 editions. SunRisers Hyderabad won by 8 runs in 2016 while Chennai Super Kings won by 56 runs in 2011 and Deccan Chargers beat them by 6 runs in 2009.
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will be locking horns in the opening match of the IPL 2020 on September 19 in Abu Dhabi. RCB will take on SunRisers Hyderabad in their opening match of the tournament on September 21.