‘It has changed a lot’ – Virat Kohli opens up on changes in the Chinnaswamy stadium over the years

Virat Kohli. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gear up to face off against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 30th match of the ongoing IPL 2024. RCB star player Virat Kohli reflected on the transformation of the team’s home ground, the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

In a candid conversation with Danish Sait for the RCB podcast season 3, Kohli, who has been an integral part of the RCB franchise for over 17 seasons, described the remarkable changes the stadium has undergone since the inception of the league in 2008.

“It has changed a lot in terms of how things were set up back than initially to now, just the level of organization that happens around an IPL game is chalk and cheese, I mean initially it was a case of people coming to watch IPL but the interaction or the experience of coming to Chinnaswamy to watch an IPL game was not as enhanced back in the day as it is today. That is one of the main reasons why people love coming to Chinnaswamy stadium to watch the games,” he said in a snippet of the episode posted on the official social media handle of RCB.

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It is a stark difference just the way it looks

Furthermore, Virat Kohli pointed out that the outfield and pitch have been relayed, giving the iconic venue a fresh and modern look. Besides, he also chimed in for fans experiencing the iconic venue in a new way. This seems quite evident by the way fans have enjoyed the run fest in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. Moreover, the charismatic batter also touched on one of his favourite aspects of the Chinnaswamy experience, that is the pre-match interaction with the fans.

“Just in general about the stadium, also the outfield was relayed, the pitch was relayed, and so many changes have happened, I feel you look at the stadium now it is a stark difference just the way it looks as well and I am sure the experience for the fans also very different,” he added.

“I think one thing that I have always looked forward to is the crowd that is there just before entering the stadium gate. That is because they get to see the players for the longest periods as the bus which is turning has to stop for the longest time,” he said earlier on the trailer of the RCB podcast.

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So far in the ongoing IPL 2024 season, the star batter has scored 319 runs in six games and has the orange cap to himself. The Bengaluru-based franchise is currently at the bottom position on the points table and will be looking to register their second victory of the season at their home ground against SRH.