WATCH : Virat Kohli pays tribute to RCB fans

Royals Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is arguably one of the largest fan base team in Indian Premier League (IPL). In spite of never winning the IPL, RCB has got a huge number of supporters.

Just before the inception of the 11th edition of IPL, RCB pays a special tribute to all their fans. RCB’s official FB handle shared a video of Captain Virat Kohli, in which he was seen thanking the fans for all the support over the years.

Year after year fans come to Chinnaswamy Stadium in support of Virat Kohli and Co. The franchise had to often bear the issue of unbalanced squad selection, injuries, and sometimes bad form.

But that has not stopped the fans from coming in to the stadium, as the Bengaluru public have always loved and welcomed their players with open arms.

AB de Villiers often says that he feels he owes the fans, as they have given him an incredible amount of love and affection over the years. Bengaluru famously hosted AB’s 100th Test match, and gave him the South African a standing ovation when he came out to bat against India.

RCB now launched a campaign, in which the said that they were going to retire one jersey and asked fans to stay tuned for more updates.

Kohli unrevealed a jersey numbered 12 which signify the 12th man of the team. Kohli tells that the 12th man of the team is fans and thanks them for their unconditional support. Kohli also told that RCB is retiring the jersey no. 12 to pay a tribute to their fans.

Here’s the video:

This time, RCB has got a strong and balanced squad. The franchise has one of the finest batting line-ups in the league. Kohli and AB De Villiers remain their key players in the team. They have got plenty of all-rounders in Colin de Grandhomme, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and Corey Anderson.

They have spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar as big weapons. Umesh Yadav, Chris Woakes, and Tim Southee add to the pace.

RCB will kick-off their IPL 11 campaign against the two times champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 8th April at Eden Gardens. Last time when these two teams met at the iconic venue, RCB registered their lowest total in IPL history, that is, 49.

However, with a balanced squad this time RCB will try to erase the humiliating memory at lifting their first ever IPL title and change the records.