The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had to cancel their practice session and press conference due to a serious security threat to their key player, Virat Kohli.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had to cancel their last and only practice session ahead of the IPL 2024 Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals, a serious security threat to their Star Player, Virat Kohli. The RCB were scheduled to practice at the Gujarat College Ground in Ahmedabad on Tuesday (21 May 21, 2024) in Ahmedabad but were not able to make it.
According to AnandaBazar Patrika, the team was not able to even have their press conference on the eve of the eliminator match because of the security threat, making the team leave over the unusual development.
The primary reason hinted at by the Gujarat police behind the cancellation of the practice session was Virat’s security. It was believed that Kohli might be subject to some danger, because of the threat and also the event of the arrest of 4 people on Monday, the 20th of April 2024, from Ahmedabad airport over the suspicion of terrorist activity hinting at higher risk chances to Kohli’s life.
“Virat Kohli learned about the arrests after arriving in Ahmedabad. He is a national treasure, and his security is our utmost priority,” Vijay Singha Jwala, a police officer, said. “RCB did not want to take a risk.
They informed us that there would be no practice session. Rajasthan Royals were also informed about the development, but they had no problems going ahead with their practice.”
The police strengthened the security arrangements outside the RCB team hotel, where even the IPL-accredited members were not allowed to enter the hotel. There was a separate ‘green corridor’ that was said to be created for the Rajasthan Royals to reach the training ground and avoid any kind of interaction with the RCB before the match.
While some team members of the Rajasthan Royals such as R. Ashwin, Riyan Parag and Yuzvendra Chahal chose not to take part in the practice session. RCB missed the entirety of it because of security reasons which would remain this way before the second eliminator match of the RCB that is scheduled to be held on 22nd April 2024.
