Yuvraj will be the X-factor for RCB this season: Kohli

Royal Challengers Bangalore have always been considered the giant team that start as favourites but somehow manage to disappoint. They didn’t manage to qualify for the play-offs in the last two seasons, ending fifth in the table on both occasions. However, skipper Virat Kohli is confident of a good showing this time around. RCB retained three players this season - Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers. They had one Right-To-Match card which they used to buy back Harshal Patel. With a lot of new additions to the squad, Kohli feels that the the players have gelled well and adapted quickly. [caption id=“attachment_1484877” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of Virat Kohli. AFP[/caption] “It is a new phase for RCB, there are only few players from last year who are in the team and there are a lot of new players. The guys have gelled pretty quickly and it is a relaxed environment. I am really excited to have all these new faces in the team and looking forward to this season. I have a strong feeling that we are going to do well in this season and I hope we go a few steps further and do well in the competition,"  Kohli told iplt20.com. After a dismal showing in the World T20 final, Yuvraj Singh received a lot of criticism. The flamboyant all-rounder was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a whooping 14 crores (costliest) in the auction. He’s been struggling of late but Kohli has a lot of faith in Yuvraj and feels that he will be the X-factor for the team this season. “He is very happy with the kind of environment which is there in the squad. He is loving it. I have spoken to him personally as well and he is excited to go out there and perform. I feel he is going to be the X-factor for RCB this season.” Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Delhi Daredevils in their opening match of IPL 7 at Sharjah on Thursday. Delhi received a huge blow ahead of the game with skipper Kevin Pietersen ruled out due to a finger injury. Kohli feels that Bangalore will hold a slight advantage going into the match especially with Pietersen ruled out, “Kevin Pietersen is a very dangerous player. It would be an advantage for us that he won’t be playing tomorrow’s game because we know how destructive he can be. I am sure he will be very eager to step on the field and perform for the Delhi Daredevils. But we cannot count out the other players in the Daredevils team. We will take every player in their side seriously.” Click here to read the full article.