Royal Challengers Bangalore landed in the United Arab Emirates on August 21 and has been training for over two weeks, including some practice games within the team.
“To be honest, we have become more receptive to the situation around us. Acceptance is the biggest change I have experienced (since day 1 here),” Kohli said at a virtual press conference organized to honor citizens. who have become “COVID heroes” amid the pandemic.
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“When we talk about the bio-bubble for the first time, we talk about appreciating the things we have and the situation. We have all become very relaxed in that environment.
“If we were not acceptable, then we would be sad or upset about the surroundings. But there is no despair of any kind.”
It will be the first time IPL matches have been held without a packed crowd, but Kohli said it is the need of the moment.
“We have all thought about it (initially) and it would be a strange feeling and I do not deny it. But the feeling has changed a bit after the training sessions and practice games,” he said.
“At the end of the day, you just need to understand why you started playing, you started playing for love. Crowds are a main part of the game, but that’s not what you play for.
“I can only say one thing that our intensity levels will not drop, I can assure you. There is a more important reason why all of this is happening.”
Kohli joined teammates Parthiv Patel and young Devdutt Paddikal in interaction.
“It’s sunk (staying in the bio-bubble). We didn’t put saliva on the ball during practice games and we’re taking care of ourselves. It’s very important to be safe,” Patel said.
“Honestly, it’s my third year with the team, I’ve never seen this kind of atmosphere before in my career. Everyone is smiling and that’s the important thing,” he added.
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