Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli said yesterday that one mistake could spoil their Indian Premier League (IPL) season during the team’s first virtual team meeting here.
The 13th edition of the IPL will start in the UAE from September 19. India captain Kohli-led RCB are yet to win an IPL title.
“We have followed what’s been told to us and I would 
expect everyone to be on the same page in terms of securing the bubble at all times and 
making sure that nothing is compromised,” Kohli said in a video shared on RCB’s Twitter handle.
“Because I think one mistake by any one of us could literally spoil the whole tournament. And none of us want to do that,” he said.
RCB’s director of cricket operations Mike Hesson, who was present in the meeting along with head coach Simon Katich, shed light on the consequences of violating the rules.
“It (violation) will be dealt with very seriously. For accidental breach, players will be removed and sent to isolation for seven days and then come back only after he tests negative. 
“There will be strong consequences if the players choose to do that (violate protocols). They will sign a document which explains the consequences,” Hesson said.
Kohli added, “We have to understand that we need to protect the bubble.”
Kohli also stressed on the need to develop a good team culture from the first day.
“I can’t wait to get to our first practice session, something that we all are going to cherish. An opportunity to create a good team culture from Day 1. For me it’s all about what can I do to create an environment where everyone feels a part of the team equally and everyone feels responsible for where we want to go equally,” he said.
Meanwhile Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes current Team India skipper Virat Kohli has the ability and the fitness to break Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries.
“I am sure 100 hundreds, he (Kohli) might not be talking about it but you know if anyone could achieve that feat after Sachin Tendulkar, he is the one,” said Pathan speaking on Star Sports show Cricket Connected show while talking about the records Kohli would be thinking of breaking in the next few years.
“He has achieved so much in such a little time and I hope if anyone breaks the records of 100 hundreds, he has to be an Indian and Virat has the ability and fitness, which is the most important thing to be able to achieve that feat,” he added.
Kohli, 31, has so far hit 70 international hundreds (43 in 248 ODIs and 27 in 86 Tests). Tendulkar, who retired from international cricket in 2013, had scored 51 Test centuries and 49 ODI hundreds.
“I think he (Kohli) is 30 short of that 100 hundreds, I think he will be able to achieve it before he retires and I hope so and that’s the target he will have in his mind,” Pathan said.
India’s next international assignment is the tour to Australia towards the end of the year where the two teams are slated to contest in three one-day internationals, four Test matches and three T20Is.


Ashwin suggests the ‘mankad’ alternative

Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has come out with an alternative for the much-debated and heavily criticised ‘mankading’ mode of dismissal.
According to Ashwin, if a batsman at the non-striker’s end is found getting out of the crease before the ball is delivered, the umpire can make it a free ball for the bowler. 
“Make it a free ball for the bowler. If the batsmen (batsman) gets out of that ball, the batting team will be docked 5 runs. Free hit adds to the drama for a batter, let’s give a chance to the bowlers too,” Ashwin said in a tweet. “As of now everyone watches the game hoping that ‘the bowlers will get smacked today’,” he added. 
England batsman Buttler was ‘mankaded’ by Ashwin at a crucial moment in last year’s season of the Indian Premier League during a match between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals. The manner of the dismissal had created ripples across the cricketing fraternity and beyond, with many former greats of the game lambasting the Indian off-spinner for breaching the ‘spirit of the game’. Recently, Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting once again raised the issue by saying that he will have a conversation with Ashwin – who will be playing for the Delhi-based franchise this season – about ‘mankading’.
Ashwin had earlier defended his decision to run out Buttler, saying his “conscience was clear”. 
The IPL 2020 is slated to be played from September 19 to November 10 in the UAE.