Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has lauded Virat Kohli for his immense contribution to RCB. Rayudu’s remarks came after RCB trumped CSK by 27 runs at home in a virtual qualifier as the future of the both the team’s relied on the outcome of the game.
For RCB, nearly the entire second half of the tournament was a do-or-die territory after the slipped to the bottom of the table with only one victory and seven defeats from their first eight games. The team showed remarkable character to script a comeback for the ages, winning six games on the trot to move past all their competitors in a crowded points table.
“It’s Virat’s energy, his intent, his hunger to win and to be successful. Today we have seen him actively talking to everybody, even before the game, even in between, even in the timeouts. And we saw it even when there was a delay because of the rain. We could see him talk and we could see him being involved. It’s just emotional, and I’m so happy for Virat,” Rayudu told Star Sports.
“I’m very, very happy with how RCB have played this season. And I truly hope that they’ll go on to win this IPL as he deserves it. For someone who has played well for RCB over the years, who has always come out and done well, won the Orange Cap, the whole team rode on his shoulders for quite some time this season, especially in the initial part of the tournament,” he added.
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Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden spoke about Kohli and the energy he brings to the field. While Kohli is almost always a character on the field, he possessed an extra bit of energy against CSK which eventually rubbed off on the team.
“What I’ve always found amazing about Virat is that the man never has to work another day in his life. He’s basically achieved everything that he could possibly achieve within the game. And I’ll extend that same comment to MS Dhoni as well. So. what they have is this enormous love of our great game. I mean, with these two players in it, we celebrate cricket, we celebrate the IPL, and we celebrate the World Cups that they play and have played. And most of the time, it is because of their genius, in whatever way that is,” he said.
“We are looking at Virat Kohli celebrating his second-best season thus far. He could go well past his IPL 2016 performance in the kind of form that he’s in. So more than anything, I just think it’s the energy and the love of the game, the passion, the commitment for it all—all of those describing words that you can glorify this great man with, whether it be on the field or with bat in hand. He just loves it; it’s crazy. The thing is, he’s so committed. And he gives it to the crowd as well. There were a couple of moments where he was telling CSK fans to be quiet,” he added.
Hayden also shared his thoughts on RCB’s comeback this season.
“It’s been really great to watch, actually, encouraging to watch. I’ve always felt a little sorry for RCB fans, if I’m being perfectly honest, because they’ve come so far only to see their team fall short time and again. This is the ninth time they’ve made it to the playoffs, and they’ve been bridesmaids several times. So, this might be the year. They seem to be a side that is extremely well-disciplined and consistent.
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“Tonight’s match was almost perfect for RCB. It was lovely to see them walking around, parading as if it were a final. It’s not, this is just the playoffs qualifier. But this was the last game they’ll be playing this season at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Deservedly so, the fans have turned up in numbers. They always do. It’s a great place to be involved in cricket: small ground, the music pumps, the red flags are waving. And surprisingly, today, there were a lot more of the red army than the yellow army, which has been an unheard-of chapter around the IPL circuit this year. It’s been the MS Dhoni campaign, but RCB has shown great spirit.”