More than our supporters, I want to win the league, says RCB skipper Virat Kohli

BENGALURU: Captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday said he remains as motivated and committed as ever to lead Royal Challengers Bangalore to a maiden IPL title. RCB have been the perennial underachievers, failing to go all the way despite reaching the final thrice. It went wrong for them last season when they finished last. “More than the fans I want to win the cup. I have been with Bangalore for the last 10 years and we haven’t crossed the final hurdle three times. I can assure you, my commitment is going to be 120 per cent to try and achieve the goal this time,” said Kohli after a training session.

RCB have been short on batting firepower and Kohli feels this time the team has a good bowling line-up too. “The batting has been strong point for RCB over the years, but I think the strengthening of bowling department has been a massive boost for us from this auction. I am very optimistic about our chances heading into this IPL,” said the skipper.

On new players bought in the auction, Kohli said they are very excited to be part of RCB and he had the joy of playing with some of them. “Some of them I know personally. We picked up players who could contribute to our culture and not be so worried about their personal performances,” he said.

PIL AGAINST IPL-11

CHENNAI: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was on Wednesday filed in the Madras High Court, seeking to restrain the BCCI from conducting the 11th edition of the IPL in the absence of adequate measures to prevent match-fixing and betting. When the petition by IPS officer G Sampathkumar came up, the First Bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice A Selvam ordered notice to the Union home ministry and the BCCI.

It then posted the matter for further hearing to April 13. The bench orally observed that though the apprehensions of the petitioner were bona fide, how could the game be stalled just because there was possibility of match-fixing and other offences.

To this, the petitioner said the intention was not to stall the game and agreed to amend the prayer accordingly. Noting that it cannot be denied that such offences were still in existence, the bench said it was not sure what preventive measures can be brought in to check them. “We have many laws to prevent corruption including the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, but can we say that corruption does not exist in society,” it wondered.