Mallya: We have the talent to deliver

Royal Challengers Bangalore have turned the tables with a dream win over Otago Volts. Here are excerpts from an interview with team owner Vijay Mallya.
Royal Challengers Bangalore trounced Otago Volts at the Chinnaswamy on Monday night and none was more pleased than the winning team's franchise owner, Vijay Mallya. Winning their do or die clash against Otago, RCB have leapt into the League Stage of CLT20. Mallya was all praise for the performers, especially Man-of- the-Match Jacques Kallis.

Mallya spoke exclusively to clt20.com post the win and expressed confidence that his team could go all the way now.

Excerpts:

It has been a dream year for Royal Challengers Bangalore, hasn't it?

Yeah, the first edition of IPL was disappointing, you know. Pretty much the same players, but for one reason or another we didn't bond enough. We have got a fabulous team, very close-knit. All determined to play well and contribute to the team.

How much of this is due to the skipper Anil Kumble?

Obviously, Anil Kumble as captain has done a superb job. I think he is responsible largely for the great teamwork. And we have got some great experienced players and some great youngsters. That blend is gelling well now.

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A word on the all-round skills of Jacques Kallis which has made the win possible?

Jacques Kallis is one of the world's best cricketers and has been acknowledged as such. I am not surprised that he batted superbly and bowled equally well. I hope Jacques Kallis is Man-of-the-Match many times over for us.

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Can the Royal Challengers go all the way now?

You know, in the first IPL, the team really hadn't come together. In the second IPL, we had a bad start, losing five in a row. But then guess what - we surprised everybody by winning six in a row. So we have got the capabilities and the talent to deliver. Just look at the two games in the Champions League Twenty20. Both games saw 180 plus scores and that's quite a good performance.