Star India batter Virat Kohli expressed happiness at his return to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) camp ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 2024, acknowledging that “it is really good to be back.”
The 17th season of the IPL will start on March 22, with defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) hosting Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Virat has not played any competitive cricket since the two T20 International matches of the three match series against Afghanistan in January. He missed the five match Test Series against England at home due to the birth of his son Akaay in London. With the IPL just a few days away, the fans are no doubt excited to see Virat back on the cricketing field.
In a video posted by RCB on their social media, Virat said, “It is really good to be back, firstly playing cricket. Also, exciting to come back to Bangalore for the start of the IPL 2024 season. Similar emotions, similar feelings. I have not been of the media radar for two months, I have been into normalcy you can say. I am pretty happy to be back, I hope all the fans are happy and excited as well.”
Du Plessis hails Virat’s ‘infectious’ energy: RCB skipper Faf du Plessis says Virat Kohli’s infectious energy, which easily rubs off on everyone, is the secret of the brilliant on field and and equally fulfilling off-field equation he shares with the Indian superstar.
Du Plessis, who took over the team’s captaincy after Kohli decided to step down at the end of the 2021 season, said batting with the prolific right-hander is an “unbelievable experience.”
“It’s unbelievable batting with him. He is one of the favourite guys I like to bat with. He brings out so much energy in me, like sometimes, I feel I am fast bumping my glove though his hand because he gets so passionate being out there in the middle,” Du Plessis told ‘Star Sports’.
“It’s really infectious the way he gives that energy,… how this guy is always on and how does he manage it…on the field while catching balls, we both are very competitive and make sure we get those good catches for the team,” the stylish right-hander said.