Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli says he insisted the franchise brought in new bowlers for the sixth edition of the IPL.
After the IPL auction in February Royal Challengers Bangalore had picked up four new seam bowlers, which skipper Virat Kohli states was something he thought the team required.
Pankaj Singh, Ravi Rampaul, Jaydev Unadkat and RP singh all joined RCB after their new 24-year-old captain had insisted on strengthening the bowling attack for 2013.
“In Bangalore, if the wicket’s nice and fresh, then the ball does seam around,” Kohli was quoted on ESPNcricinfo.
“So, this year, I insisted we pick a lot of bowling options.”
Kohli will take charge of RCB for the first time today when they begin their IPL campaign against Mumbai Indians.
There has been a lot of faith shown in the batsman to make him captain of Bangalore at such a relatively young age, but he has already shown his authority by demanding these improvements to the team.
Kohli has had some experience leading RCB over the last couple of years, after filling in for regular skipper Daniel Vettori when he had injury problems.
Now that he is at the helm of the team permanently the Indian will be looking to improve on last year’s effort in the IPL, when RCB had a disappointing season and failed to reach the play-offs.
Bangalore’s new captain will be facing another debut IPL leader today in Ricky Ponting, with the legendary Australian joining Mumbai in the February auction.
RCB will be without veteran Zaheer Khan for the match as he is struggling with a side strain.
Watch the live stream of the RCB v Mumbai Indians match here.
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