Virat Kohli has
touted the current Royal Challengers Bangalore lineup as their ‘most balanced squad’ since the 2016 season of the Indian Premier
League, where they finished as the runners-up. RCB has been searching for their maiden IPL title since the tournament’s inception in 2008. 

Despite the presence of champion players like Kohli and AB de Villiers, RCB, in the last three seasons, has failed to even qualify for the play-offs. The team last played the final in 2016, a season in which Kohli struck an unprecedented four hundreds.

In the latest episode of RCB’s Bold Diaries with stand-up comedian Danish Sait, the skipper lauded the addition of South African star Chris Morris and
said that the all-rounder adds a lot of stability to the side.

He also said that the inclusion
of the Australian limited-overs captain Aaron Finch and the ‘exciting’ 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippe will add more
firepower to the side.

Kohli said that both he and AB de Villiers feel that this could be the “breakthrough season” when tables will turn for the franchise which has flattered to deceive on many occasions.

“I (have) never felt so calm going into a season before. He (ABD) is coming from a very different space and he is enjoying his life and is very relaxed and fit as ever. I feel I am in a much better space, much more balanced, when it comes to environment of (the) IPL,” the straight speaking RCB skipper said.

The Team India skipper hailed the mix of youth and
experience in the squad and said they will be hoping to land in a respectable
position this season.

Talking about the support
of the RCB Chairman Sanjeev Churiwala, the Indian captain said, “It’s a good
feeling to know that people who are in charge at the top, they have faith in
you, they believe in you. That’s all you really require.”

He reiterated the importance
of roping in the former New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson as the Director of Cricket
Operations at Bangalore-based franchise.

Hesson will supposedly
bridge the gap between cricket and business. As Kohli assesses, “this time
around the players will not be overburdened with other things” and will be able to freely focus on cricket and cricket only.

IPL will be played across three venues this season — Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. The tournament has been moved out of India due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kohli believes
that the home advantage
will fly out of the books and the matches will be more skill-based.

Going into the new season, the team will be free of past ‘baggage’ and play without being burdened by expectations, he added.