Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu is hopeful that Royal Challengers Bengaluru will win the ongoing IPL 2024 as Virat Kohli deserves the title. RCB hasn’t yet won an IPL title despite making it to the final of the tournament on three occasions.

After beating CSK by 27 runs at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday, RCB made it to the playoffs for the ninth time in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has always been a consistent performer for RCB since the inception of the IPL. Kohli is currently the leading run-getter in the ongoing IPL 2024 with 708 runs in 14 matches at an average of 64.36 and a strike rate of 155.60. Thus, Kohli played a key role in taking RCB to the last four.

After managing a single win out of their eight games, RCB won six games in a row to qualify for the playoffs. The Bengaluru-based franchise came up with a collective team performance and also played fearlessly to get the desired results.

“It’s Virat’s energy, his intent, his hunger to win and to be successful. Today we have seen him actively talking to everybody, even before the game, even in between, even in the timeouts. And we saw it even when there was a delay because of the rain. We could see him talk and we could see him being involved. It’s just emotional, and I’m so happy for Virat,” Ambati Rayudu said while speaking on Star Sports Cricket Live.

“I’m very, very happy with how RCB have played this season. And I truly hope that they’ll go on to win this IPL as he deserves it. For someone who has played well for RCB over the years, who has always come out and done well, won the Orange Cap, the whole team rode on his shoulders for quite some time this season, especially in the initial part of the tournament,” Rayudu added.

Ravindra Jadeja (42 not out) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (25) were going strongly but Yash Dayal was able to keep his calm and defended 17 runs in the last over. 

RCB will be in action against either RR or SRH in the Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Wednesday.