Virat Kohli feels the way the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers have turned the games around in IPL 2020 has been “a special addition to the way we have played our cricket”.
On Monday, after an AB de Villiers‘ special powered the Royal Challengers to 194 for 2, their bowlers restricted the Kolkata Knight Riders to a mere 112 for 9 on a difficult Sharjah pitch to give the side their fifth win in seven games.
Speaking to the host broadcast Star at the post-match presentation, Kohli said that the pre-tournament preparation had really helped them.
“That three and a half week camp really helped us,” he said. “The bowling coach has worked hard with the boys. The management has been really good in setting up a great system, great culture this time around. And we have clarity of plans. We know exactly what we want to do when we step on to the field. It’s not figuring out what you have to do in the middle. We at least have an idea what we want to do and plan B is ready as well.
“It all depends on the mindset I think. The body language, the intensity, the mindset this time around is very positive. People are turning the game around with the ball, with the bat as well but with the ball more so. That has been a special addition to the way we have played our cricket. If your bowling unit is strong, then you have a good chance of going deep in the tournament.”
Over the last few seasons, the bowling, especially the death bowling, has been an Achilles’ heel for the Royal Challengers. But with the inclusion of Chris Morris and Isuru Udana, and Navdeep Saini stepping up, they seemed to have plugged that hole to quite an extent this time. Yuzvendra Chahal has continued leading the spin attack, while the team has used Washington Sundar more effectively.
According to Kohli, all that helped the side register their “most comprehensive win” of the season so far.
“Heading into this busy week for us, it was important that we get the right start. We did that in the last game [against the Chennai Super Kings] and continued amazingly well in this game as well. It’s great to see individuals step up when the team requires them to and that’s all we wanna be about this season. The bowling unit with Chris Morris coming back looks that more potent and the way Washy, Chahal and other bowlers bowled, I think this was one of our most comprehensive wins.
“I think it’s all about taking this momentum forward and playing good cricket. We don’t wanna be complacent, there are a lot of good teams and the tournament can turn around pretty quickly from any stage. So we wanna be absolutely professional and hungry and have that zing in our eyes that AB had tonight – to step up on to the field and do something special for RCB.”