This will be the season for us: RCB skipper Kohli

Kolkata, April 10 (IANS) Asserting that his team is the most balanced in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli warned ahead of their Saturday's encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders that the batting trio comprising Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and himself would be more aggressive.

"This season you will see myself, AB and Gayle expressing more than ever because we have got good depth in batting and we can sort of bat freely," Kohli said on Friday on the eve of their opening encounter at the Eden Gardens here.

"In the last two-three seasons, we batted under more pressure as compared to others because, we were top heavy. Other teams had batters till eight so the top guys could express themselves but we had to mix caution and aggression.

"I won't say we will blindly swing the bat. But you will see the guys more relaxed and expressing themselves more and be confident in what they want to execute and not having as many second thoughts like they had in last two seasons."

Admitting that his team has had mixed fortunes in the IPL despite having a star-studded line-up, the stylish batsman exuded confidence of laying hands on the coveted trophy. 

"We have played two finals and two semi-finals and failed to qualify in the rest. It has been a mixed kind of performance from us. 

"People have this disappointment and a strange feeling that why this team can't win. They have sort of anger inside them but in a good way, they want us to win.

"So I think this year we have a great opportunity to actually cross that line. This year, we have the most balanced side. 

"We have been lacking in quality Indian batsmen in the past but now we have four-five youngsters coming in strengthening our batting. 

"So the combinations are right but we have to play some good cricket and hopefully this will be the season for us," he said. 

Kohli also allayed fears about fitness of the big hitting Gayle.

"He is probably the fittest i have seen over the last three years. It was pleasing to see him run around and be agile and active in practice. 

"Him being fit is always a boost for us and it is a thing to think about the opposition because he can field, bat and bowl. So it is a big positive for us."