Virat Kohli wants to experience what Smriti Mandhana has just done — to get a feel of the trophy in the nation’s premier T20 league.
Mandhana led the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), rechristened as Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Tuesday, to triumph in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) on Sunday. But the franchise’s men’s team have not been able to lay their hands on the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy in the tournament’s past 16 editions. Kohli, a former RCB captain, wants to amend that record.
“It was absolutely amazing... When they (RCB Women) won it (WPL), we were watching. Hopefully, we can double it up with the trophies and that will be something truly special,” Kohli said during the RCB Unbox event at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday, when the team was officially renamed.
While the RCB Women outplayed Delhi Capitals Women in the WPL final on Sunday, the men begin their IPL campaign on Friday, against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai.
Smriti Mandhana with the Women’s Premier League trophy at the Chinnaswamy on Tuesday. PTI
Kohli, who will start his 17th season with the franchise, said he would bank on his skillset and experience to translate the dream of winning the IPL trophy into reality this year.
“That’s a dream of mine to know what it feels like to win an IPL trophy... I will be here, be a part of the team that wins the trophy for the first time.
“I will try my very best with my abilities, my experience, to be able to do that for the fans and the franchise,” the former India captain said.
Kohli, the highest run-getter in the IPL, said his commitment to RCB would remain unwavering.
“It is because of the way we play our cricket, our commitment and the passion that we saw over the years that we have such a fanbase. So, that’s not going to change.”
Victory cheer
The RCB Women, who were given a guard of honour by their male colleagues, also conducted a trophy walk around the field to loud cheers by a near-capacity crowd.
During the event, R. Vinay Kumar, the former India, Karnataka and RCB pacer, was also inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame.