Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were having their dream season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 before it got postponed. Virat Kohli’s side started their journey by dismantling the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, in the season opener. Bangalore managed to win on five occasions out of seven. The outfit even earned the title of favourites.
However, after several COVID-19 cases were reported inside the bio-bubbles, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to postpone the league until further notice. After the suspensions, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan said that the board’s decision might hurt the RCB fans badly.
RCB fans will be disappointed – Irfan Pathan
“Where the tournament has stopped, the RCB fans will be a little disappointed because AB de Villiers was in good form, Maxwell was in good form, the team was doing very well, the bowling was very good,” Irfan Pathan told Star Sports.
“It was about to be ‘Ee Sala Cup Namde’ for them, at least from the fan’s perspective, so it is expected that they will be a little disappointed but it has been a good year for them till now,” he added.
RCB were in good shape until the tournament was called off. The side was riding on Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Devdutt Padikkal, and Harshal Patel as they outclassed most of the teams in the IPL 2021. The 36-year-old former all-rounder – Irfan Pathan praised Virat Kohli for his leadership and Director of Cricket Mike Hesson for formulating a brilliant auction strategy.
The side staunchly bought Maxwell in the auction and traded in Harshal Patel and Daniel Sams from Delhi capitals ahead of the IPL 2021.
“They had gone after Maxwell. Before the auction, the trading also put in a lot of effort. We have spoken about Harshal Patel but they got Daniel Sams also, which means they thought if they had got the opportunity to play in Bangalore, the left-arm pacer Daniel Sams will be useful although he did not come of use. Harshal Patel did all the work,” Irfan Pathan added.
