Vijay Mallya criticizes Virat Kohli's RCB after dismal IPL season

Vijay Mallya

Vijay Mallya, who is a former owner of Royal Challengers Bangalore, has said that the team has "a great lineup but sadly on paper only". "Devastated with the wooden spoon," he further said referring to RCB finishing last on the IPL 2019 points table. RCB finished last on the table with five victories from 14 matches.

Royal Challengers Bangalore had one of the worst IPL seasons in their history winning just 5 matches out of the 14 matches.

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After losing their first six games, RCB won five out of their eight games with one not producing a result to end with 11 points.

"If we focus on the second half, it is exactly what we wanted in the first half. After losing your first six matches, it is very difficult to come back in a tournament like IPL. We have a lot to learn from this season," said Kohli at the post-match presentation after RCB beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by four wickets.

"The first couple of things matters a lot in setting the intensity. We are happy with the way guys have turned things around and the kind of cricket that we have played in the second half. A lot of credit goes to the team management for getting us back in the right frame of mind."

Also Read: IPL 2019: Royal Challengers Bangalore's story - 1st half bitter, 2nd half better

RCB, who have never won the IPL, failed to make the playoffs for the third year in a row but Kohli said he was proud of his team for putting up a much-improved performance in the second half of the season.

"We haven't finished in the position that we wanted to. But because the second half has been so good it doesn't feel like a bad season. We won the last 5 of our 7 matches and with one no-result, it is something that we can be proud of. It is such a short format that often 5 or 7 minutes decide the outcome," he said.

Kohli also thanked the RCB fans for their unwavering support. "I just want to tell all the people in the stadium that it has been such a long time playing in this stadium and every year we come, the support is better. Hats-off to you guys for turning up in numbers.

"We are so thankful and so grateful to have fans like you all. I can certainly feel your pain. I am emotionally attached to this team like all of you. And next year we will definitely improve our performance and give you guys what you deserve in return. Thanks again for coming out in huge numbers. You are the best fans in the IPL," added Kohli

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