IPL 2019 | Time for RCB to be stronger and smarter, asserts AB de Villiers
AB De Villiers has opined that Royal Challengers Bangalore led by Virat Kohli can go all the way in this year’s Indian Premier League. The South African has also called the team to be stronger and to produce consistent performances throughout the season so as to take the honours.
The 2019 season of the Indian Premier League is scheduled to start today and Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore will be playing on opening day against Chennai Super Kings. AB de Villiers, who announced his retirement from international cricket exactly 10 months earlier on May 23 last year, will return to the Bangalore dressing room for the 2019 season of the IPL and is highly optimistic of his side’s chances to go all the way in the T20 domestic league this year.
"It's time. It's time for RCB to be smarter, to be stronger, to produce consistent performances and make a strong impact on the tournament. The opening match of the 2019 IPL, playing the defending champions CSK in their own stadium at Chennai, offers us with an ideal opportunity to make a strong statement, to show the perennial bridesmaids are ready to walk down the aisle," the South African batsman wrote in his column for TOI.
The 35-year old Proteas cricketer, who has a tally of 3953 runs in the IPL, assured RCB fans that this time they are a more well-rounded side and are prepared to go the distance under new coach Gary Kirsten.
"We have prepared well this week, and we are excited. Here are five reasons why RCB are primed and ready to emerge from too many years of underperformance and to deliver success for our supporters:
1. Gary Kirsten has arrived as Head Coach, bringing vast experience and knowledge to the squad. He is a proven leader of men, and his attention to detail in all aspects of the game is remarkable. I have worked with him before, and it's wonderful to see him so determined and motivated to guide this squad.
2. We have balance, not only in cricketing terms but also in experience; this has not always been the case in past RCB squads, but the balance between bat and ball feels right, the balance between experience and youth feels right.
3. Heinrich Klaasen will prove a crucial middle-order batsman with excellent 'big match temperament' who plays the spinners well; I know him from Titans in Pretoria, and he can prove a fantastic asset.
4. Shimron Hetmyer can also bring something new to the team; he has consistently finished matches for the West Indies in recent
5. Our shared squad resolve to be the most professional squad, on and off the field; our captain Virat Kohli has stressed the importance of doing things right at all times, and so giving ourselves the best chance of performing to our potential," De Villiers added.
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