IPL 2023: Virat Kohli’s dream of winning the trophy will come true this time – Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar has predicted that Virat Kohli’s dream of winning the trophy will come true this time in the IPL. Kohli hasn’t yet savored success with RCB in the IPL despite coming close on three occasions.

RCB hasn’t been able to go all the way in the tournament so far and the Faf du Plessis-led team will want to come up with a collective show. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has been in decent form in the recent past and he would look to be at his absolute best for the franchise.

In fact, Kohli had failed to deliver the goods in the previous season and he would want to turn the tables in the upcoming edition. The talisman had scored 341 runs in 16 matches in IPL 2022 at a below-par average of 22.73 and a strike rate of 115.98.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is the highest run-getter in the history of the IPL, amassing 6624 runs in 223 matches at an average of 36.2 and a strike rate of 129.15. Kohli has performed consistently for RCB over the years and he has been their best batter.

Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPN Cricinfo, “Yes, I feel Virat Kohli’s dream of winning the trophy will come true this time. They have a wonderful bowling attack. If Faf du Plessis scores runs, they will have a great chance.”

On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer was ruled out with a back injury and thus Nitish Rana has been named as the stand-in captain for Kolkata Knight Riders. Manjrekar feels the head coach Chandrakant Pandit will take most of the calls from the outside.

​​”Yes, definitely, because I believe that Chandrakant Pandit will likely make most of the decisions from outside.”

RCB will begin their IPL 2023 campaign against Mumbai Indians at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on 2nd April.

On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders will begin their IPL 2023 campaign against Punjab Kings at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali on 1st April.