Ahead of this exciting encounter, RCB’s left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Vicky Ostwal shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview. He expressed his enthusiasm about joining this prestigious franchise.

Ostwal stated, "This is my first season with RCB. Previously, I spent three years with Delhi Capitals. I have heard a lot about RCB being a fantastic franchise. They won the trophy last year. The team atmosphere is great, and the people here are very nice. We have star players like Virat Kohli. I am learning so much and am very happy and excited to be here."

Discussing his first meeting with Virat, Vicky said, "It was strange for me to see him for the first time. I didn't have the courage to talk to him during our first meeting. As we practiced together, I started discussing my bowling with him. I tried to understand the mindset I should have while bowling in T20. He has been very helpful in teaching me how bowlers can counter batsmen."

Vicky added, "Whenever I bowl to him, I try to talk to him afterward. He tells me what went wrong, what I could have done better, and what I did well. This feedback is incredibly helpful."

The 23-year-old bowler mentioned, "Venkatesh is a great example. He is much senior to me, but he is very friendly and open. He enjoys having fun with me, and we have good conversations. Sometimes, we even play table tennis together. Initially, I hesitated to talk to him, but once I got to know how good a person he is, I became comfortable, and we started hanging out."

Ostwal plays domestic cricket for Maharashtra. He noted, "It was great for Maharashtra to support me throughout the season. Playing in every match across all formats this year was significant for me, and as a player, you expect such support from your association."

He continued, "I performed well for my team. I took some five-wicket hauls in red-ball cricket and was very accurate with my white-ball bowling. In T20 and ODIs, I was economical. In red-ball cricket, I took several five-wicket hauls and was among the top wicket-takers for Maharashtra. It was a good season for me."

Ostwal emphasized, "Being a bowling all-rounder is my best version. I am a frontline bowler, and yes, I have improved significantly as a batsman over the past few years. I am scoring runs for Maharashtra in both Under-23 and senior formats. However, I identify primarily as a bowling all-rounder."

He shared, "The Under-23 experience played a huge role in my life. After my Under-19 World Cup, I struggled for nearly a year to establish myself in the senior team. Last season, when I played Under-23, my goal was to dominate the setup and become the highest wicket-taker in India. I had been thinking about this since I started playing."

Vicky expressed gratitude for his achievements, stating, "I was very thankful and happy to take wickets and become the highest wicket-taker in India. I also scored 100 and 250 runs, totaling nearly 400 runs. This led to me receiving the Player of the Series award for the CK Nayudu Trophy. Consequently, I got the chance to play for the Maharashtra Ranji team this year. This was one of the biggest moments of my life, akin to playing for India, winning the World Cup, and being the highest wicket-taker in both the Asia Cup and World Cup. This breakthrough likely led to Delhi Capitals selecting me for their IPL team."

He added, "I have talked a lot about this, and everyone says that everyone has their own destiny. You just keep working hard, and one day, you will get your chance. When that opportunity comes, you must seize it with both hands. Therefore, I am not rushing things. I just want to work hard, and I believe my time will come, and when it does, I will grab it."

On the decision to bat in the top order, Vicky said, "It wasn't my personal choice to bat up the order. It was due to team balance-my coach said, 'We need a batsman at the top who can stabilize the innings and provide a solid start.' Everyone discussed it, and I said, 'Sir, I can step up and contribute to my team. If the team needs me to do this, I would be happy to.'"

Vicky mentioned that he scored a century while opening in the Under-23 format.

Regarding Krunal Pandya, Vicky remarked, "He is a very experienced player, having played for over ten years. He has won titles with Mumbai and RCB. He knows what it takes to win the IPL, tournaments, and games. I believe he is a player who shines under pressure, and that's what a good player does for your team. I want to learn from him how to perform under pressure and how he stands up for the team in challenging situations. That's what is worth learning from him."

In conclusion, Vicky expressed, "Being part of such a great franchise is a blessing for me. The team is surrounded by excellent players and coaches. I am always excited to engage in good conversations about cricket with everyone, learning tips to improve my game, fitness, skills, and mental strength. Our goal is to make RCB champions once again."

My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.