Kohli admitted to missing the home ground – M Chinnaswamy stadium- and the presence of spectators in the stadium.
“The good thing is we are back in India. There’s nothing quite like playing in Chinnaswamy in front of your home crowd. Obviously, the fans are going to miss watching us play. But such are the times that we are in right now,” he said.
Dwelling on the positives, Kohli pointed out, “Like last year, there is no home advantage. Every team is playing in neutral venues where the strength of the side comes to the fore. That’s why the last IPL was so competitive.” ”
RCB made their way into the playoffs last season after a four-year hiatus and Kohli believes the team will build on the confidence garnered in UAE.
“We had a good season last time around. We probably would have liked to go a couple of steps further, which is obviously the aim this year.”
Since finishing fourth on the points table last season, some of RCB’s key men, especially the bowlers, like Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini have done well in India colours.
“I feel very relaxed with our resources and the strength of our team. I know that when you do well with your national team, it’s always an exciting time to come into the IPL and make this tournament your own. I aimed to do that as a youngster. Watching Washy (Washington Sundar), (Navdeep) Saini and (Mohd) Siraj coming into their own, I believe will help us pull stronger as a team and move in the right direction,” Kohli explained.