Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ace batsman Virat Kohli would have a successful IPL 2024 season despite returning from a vacation.
Virat Kohli withdrew from India’s recent Test series against England, citing personal concerns, and is yet to arrive at the Bangalore camp as of writing. However, Mohammad Kaif recalled how Kohli scored a century against Afghanistan in the 2022 Asia Cup after returning from a vacation, and how he has been in form ever since.
Mohammad Kaif outlined to Star Sports why he believes Virat Kohli will return as a dangerous batter in the IPL 2024:
“I remember during the Asia Cup when he scored a century against Afghanistan; since then, he hasn’t looked back. So I think he’s going to continue this amazing form. One special thing about Virat Kohli is that every time he comes back from a break, he plays really well. Most players want to be in touch and play regularly to get in form, but Virat Kohli every time when he comes back from the break, he comes across as a more dangerous batsman.”
Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif further stated that Virat Kohli’s performance will have a direct bearing on whether RCB will advance to the IPL 2024 playoffs. Mohammad Kaif also expects Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green to join the party and assist Kohli in constantly leading the RCB to huge totals.
Irfan Pathan on RCB’s pace attack
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan understands RCB supporters’ concerns regarding the bowling lineup that their club has constructed for the IPL 2024 season. While the M Chinnaswamy Stadium has frequently been a bowler’s cemetery, Pathan believes the Royal Challengers may make a difference with their express pace attack, which includes Alzarri Joseph.
On this, he said:
“One thing I would like to say to RCB fans is that people might say that the bowling line-up is weak for the team at least what it seems, but their management has done one thing: they have bought pace in their bowling line-up. They have 3 fast bowlers who can touch one 140 km/hour speed. So there is a possibility that on a dead pitch like Chinnaswamy, this Express pace might get the job done because batting is anyway really strong.”
Irfan Pathan
The Royal Challengers Bangalore start IPL 2024 against the champions, Chennai Super Kings, on March 22 at Chepauk. It won’t be easy for Faf du Plessis’ team. But they will want to surprise MS Dhoni’s players. The Chennai crowd will make it tough. Yet Bangalore’s stars hope to begin with a big win.