IPL 2021: As Virat reveals plans to quit as RCB captain, Chahal confident team will win elusive title | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: News of Virat Kohli deciding to step down as Royal Challengers Bangalore captain after the end of the 2021 season has come as a surprise for many cricket fans. The announcement was made before RCB‘s first match of IPL phase 2, which will be played on Monday vs the Kolkata Knight Riders.
RCB are yet to win an IPL title, but as things stand right now, they are going strong in IPL 2021. The team is in third place on the points table currently with 10 points after 7 matches, behind CSK and DC.
Royal Challengers Bangalore spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is confident that the Virat Kohli-led team will clinch their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title this time. Chahal spoke to TimesofIndia.com ahead of the resumption of the tournament in the UAE.
“I am so happy that the IPL has resumed. RCB really had a brilliant start to the season. We have a big chance of winning our maiden title. I am sure Virat bhaia will take RCB to their maiden title this time,” Chahal told TimesofIndia.com in an interview.
“I am happy that we have 10 points so far. I am sure we will continue the winning streak and win the title. The BCCI did a commendable job to help every single cricketer reach their respective destination (after the tournament was called off midway due to the COVID-19 situation in India),” the spinner said.
MS DHONI STILL CALLS ME ‘TILLI’
Apart from playing a stellar role with the bat and his captaincy, former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni played a big role in grooming youngsters. ‘When in trouble, look for Mahi bhai’ – a lot of the youngsters in the team have had this mantra, despite the fact that Dhoni has retired from international cricket.

Yuzvendra Chahal (L) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. (Photo credit: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP via Getty Images)
Chahal still turns to Dhoni for advice whenever he can have a chat with the former India captain.
“I spoke with him (Dhoni) during RCB’s match against CSK (in phase 1 of IPL 2021). He still calls me ‘Tilli’ (laughs). He said ‘Oye Tilli’ and then hugged me. We had a long chat. He is still the same – chirpy and jovial. I asked him a couple of things about my bowling. He gave me some tips. He knows me in and out. I got a lot of tips from him for my bowling and mindset,” Chahal further told TimesofIndia.com.
‘CAPTAIN VIRAT SAME FOR RCB AND INDIA’
Chahal, who failed to find a place in India’s 15 man squad for the upcoming ICC World T20, to be played in UAE from October 17, also spoke about what Virat Kohli is like as RCB and India captain.
“Virat bhaia is the same when he captains RCB and India,” he said.

Virat Kohli and Yuzvendra Chahal. (TOI Photo)
“His hunger for wins and appetite for runs remains the same for both RCB and India. I am lucky that I get his guidance when I play in both colours (RCB and India),” Chahal, who has played 56 ODIs and 49 T20Is, signed off.
Virat recently announced that he will be stepping down as India T20I captain after the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE.