IPL 2024: Irfan Pathan stated that winning the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) would be the most significant occasion in the tournament’s history.
Irfan Pathan expressed that the victory of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL would be a monumental moment in the history of the T20 tournament. The former all-rounder commended RCB fans for their unwavering support despite the franchise not securing a trophy in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2008.
Having reached the finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016, RCB faced defeats against the now defunct Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively.
“I have never witnessed a bond between a franchise and its fans like RCB. They possess the most devoted fanbase globally. Despite not clinching a trophy, they came close on a couple of occasions,” Pathan conveyed to Star Sports.
Speaking about the memorable 2016 season, Pathan highlighted RCB’s significant opportunity to win when Virat Kohli set the record for the most runs in a single edition of the T20 tournament. Kohli, the captain at that time, amassed 973 runs in 16 matches at an average of 81.08 and a strike-rate of 152.03, including 4 centuries and 7 fifties.
RCB came agonizingly close to victory in the final against the Sunrisers, losing by 8 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Despite a challenging target of 209, RCB concluded with 200 for 7 in 20 overs.
Pathan emphasized that if RCB manages to secure the IPL title in 2024, it would be the “most significant moment” in the T20 league’s history.
“2016 was a very special season for him and RCB. I thought that was the year to win. If Virat Kohli and RCB win the title, that will be the biggest moment of IPL history, not just RCB history,” he added.
Before the 2022 IPL edition, Kohli stepped down as the skipper, and Faf du Plessis, joining from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), was appointed as the new skipper. RCB finished sixth last year, failing to qualify for the playoffs.
