RCB’s batting mainstay Kohli said in the latest interview that he hates to be called ‘King’. And he also asked RCB fans not to say ‘Ee Sala Cup Namdhe’.
Virat on being called ‘King’
Royal Challengers Bangalore registered a commendable win over five-time champions Mumbai Indians in their IPL opener. Virat Kohli (82 not out off 49 balls) and skipper Faf du Plessis (73 off 43 balls) struck dynamic fifties to hand RCB an eight-wicket win over Mumbai Indians on Sunday.
Virat Kohli, who is arguably the best cricketer of this generation, is often referred to as the ‘King’ by his fans. In an RCB Insider show with Mr. Nags, Kohli broke the silence on being referred to as the ‘King’. Calling it a ‘sweet’ gesture from his fans, Kohli, who hit a brilliant 81* in the opening game of IPL 2023, said he knows where it comes from but does not like it.
“It’s sweet. I know why they are saying it, but I don’t prefer it. I like to be called by my own name, Virat,” Kohli said while speaking to Mr. Nags.
No ‘Ee Sala Cup Namdhe’
With this, the former RCB skipper also asked fans not to say ‘Ee Sala Cup Namdhe’. “People tell me King out of love, but I personally don’t prefer it. Like ‘Ee Sala Cup Namdhe’, don’t say ‘King’,” Kohli said.
RCB Insider with Mr. Nags, Ft. Virat Kohli
It’s that time of the year again. Mr. NAGS returns to challenge @imVkohli in a poetry contest. The legends of RCB talk about Bengaluru, Big Franchise Pressure, IPL Trophy and more, on @hombalefilms brings to you RCB Insider.#PlayBold pic.twitter.com/VPt8giKvdg
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 4, 2023
After the first win, Kohli hoped that the team will keep the focus and execute things properly to maintain the momentum.
“I wanted to mention this for a while – after MI who have 5 titles and CSK who have 4, if I’m not wrong, we are the third team to have qualified the most times to the playoffs – 8 times. Take one game at a time and try to be a balanced side which we are and we would look to execute our plans as we did tonight,” Kohli said.
Meanwhile, RCB captain and player of the match Faf Du Plessis credited the bowlers for setting up the game but realized that they need to improve in the death overs after conceding 48 in the last 17 balls.
“Nice to start the way we did. In the powerplay, Siraj had the tail up and he set the tone. Right through the innings, our bowlers stuck to the plans.
“Obviously last 2-3 overs are something to improve on. If you took pace off the ball, it wasn’t too easy to play and there was something in it for the spinners,” he said.
