Former India opener Virender Sehwag believes everyone will want to see Virat Kohli win the elusive IPL title for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as captain. The ongoing 14th edition will be his last attempt to do so, as he announced his decision to step down as captain of the franchise.
RCB had roped in Virat Kohli in the maiden IPL auction back in 2008. Since then the ace player has forged an inseparable bond with the franchise as well as the people in the city. He became the first-ever player in the history of the league to play 200 matches for a single franchise during yesterday’s clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
While stepping down from the captaincy post, he asserted that he will continue to represent RCB till the end of his career. Kohli was appointed as captain in 2013 and has agonizingly failed to deliver a title with their best effort coming in 2016, where they reached the finals, only to lose to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at their home ground.
Virender Sehwag, in an interview with PTI, said that Virat Kohli owes a title to the franchise that instilled their belief in him. He stated:
“IPL is important for every captain but I think more so for Virat as with his huge fan base, everyone wants Virat to win a trophy for the Bangalore franchise. If not multiple times then at least once in his tenure as captain,”
“This has been a strange year off the field due to pandemic and who knows it might be a different year for Bangalore from previous seasons and they go on to win the trophy,” Sehwag added
Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals are favourites to win 2021 IPL: Virender Sehwag
Sehwag believes that with the venue change, the conditions will favour the likes of the last year’s finalists, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. Out of those two favourites, he holds Mumbai Indians slightly ahead to win the title, and complete a three-peat in the process as well.
“Since the second half has been shifted to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, I think Delhi and Mumbai will again be favourites and the five-time champions are slightly ahead,” he added.
“Chennai’s average score in India was 201 during the first phase but I think when it comes to UAE tracks, they would be lacking a bit in batting firepower. If I have to pick one team, that will be Mumbai,”
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