New Delhi, March 11 (NationPress) As the 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) approaches its start on March 28, former Indian captain Anil Kumble shared insights on Royal Challengers Bengaluru's long-anticipated championship victory last year. He attributed this achievement to Virat Kohli's leadership and the enhanced performance of the team's bowling unit.

Kumble emphasized that while Kohli is pivotal to the franchise's success, it was the bowlers who were instrumental in securing the team's first IPL title. "Virat plays a significant role in RCB's triumphs. However, during last year’s successful campaign, the bowling unit consistently stepped up," he stated during an interview on JioStar.

He highlighted that RCB’s bowling attack excelled throughout the season, with seasoned pacers and a dynamic spin pair making substantial contributions. "Players like Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were vital to their success. Additionally, the spinners, Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, were a delightful surprise. Their outstanding performance was crucial for winning the trophy," Kumble remarked.

Furthermore, he noted that while Kohli is undoubtedly the main attraction for fans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the strength of the bowling lineup now instills greater confidence among supporters regarding the team's ability to defend totals. "I believe fans will flock to the Chinnaswamy Stadium to watch Virat Kohli. Yet, they will also take pride in the formidable bowling unit capable of defending scores," he said.

Kumble also addressed the ongoing discussion around the most successful franchise in IPL history, placing Mumbai Indians alongside Chennai Super Kings as the elite teams in the league. "MI is nearly on par with CSK when discussing the top teams in the IPL; distinguishing between them is quite challenging," he noted.

He explained that both franchises have taken distinct paths to achieving sustained success, with CSK often relying on veteran experience, while Mumbai has focused on identifying emerging talent.

"CSK has consistently made selections based on experience. Only last year did we see a few newcomers emerge. In contrast, MI has ventured out to discover players who had previously gone unnoticed, some who excelled at the domestic level. Players like Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah emerged from those ranks, leading to their remarkable success. Recently, we also saw Nehal Wadhera, who performed exceptionally for MI before moving to PBKS," Kumble added.

In a related discussion, former Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara offered his perspective on MS Dhoni's batting role for CSK, suggesting that the veteran could have a more significant impact if he batted higher in the order.

"I don’t see any reason for MS Dhoni to bat at numbers 8 or 9. He possesses the ability to change games single-handedly, something no other batter in the CSK lineup can replicate. If he faces only five or ten deliveries, imagine what Mahi bhai could achieve if he batted for 25 or 30 balls," Pujara stated.

Reflecting on his time with the Chennai franchise, Pujara described the team culture as one that provides clarity and long-term support to players.

"Having been part of the CSK setup, I can say that players feel very comfortable; it's akin to being in a family. In this environment, there is a clear understanding of expectations from each player. Loyalty plays a significant role, as most players in CSK tend to stay for extended periods once they join the setup. With the current transition in the team, there is now a greater emphasis on young talent," Pujara concluded.