Batsman AB de Villiers has listed new team-mate Josh Philippe among the Royal Challengers Bangalore's “world-beaters” ahead of the 2020 Indian Premier League.
Philippe impressed for the Sydney Sixers in Australia's Big Bash League earlier this year – and was later added to the Royal Bangalore Challengers roster.
He will play alongside de Villiers, fellow Australian Aaron Finch, Indian captain Virat Kohli, England all-rounder Moeen Ali and other international and local stars during the IPL 2020.
“We are going to have some world-beaters,” de Villiers told RCB TV.
“We will have Finch, Moeen, Adam Zampa and Philippe. I am looking forward to connecting with Josh. I see a lot of similarities between the way he plays when I was younger.
“I am excited about Josh. I watched him play for the Sydney Sixers. He takes the new ball on, he is a very talented player, I have heard Gilchrist say really some good things about him.”
Philippe in the BBL
The 23-year-old Philippe collected the third most runs during the 2019-20 BBL. The Melbourne Stars' Marcus Stoinis gathered the most and the Sydney Thunder's Alex Hales the second most.
Phillipe's 487 runs in 16 innings included five half-centuries. He hit 52 in the final against the Stars – and was named player of the match.
“It's surreal. AB and Virat are two of the best in the world so it'll be great to see how they train, play, and go about their business. It's an amazing opportunity to rub shoulders with those guys and see how the best in the world operate,” he told The Cricketer recently.
IPL Background
Bangalore have never won the IPL. the Mumbai Indians are the reigning champions. They beat the Chennai Super Kings in the final of the 2019 IPL. Mumbai have four titles. Chennai have three.
The Kolkata Knight Riders have two IPL titles. The Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan have one each. The Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals have also never won the IPL.
The IPL 2020 will start on Saturday, 19 September. It will be played in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE hosted the 2014 IPL, too.
Mumbai and Chennai will contest the opening fixture. Mumbai are captained by opening batsman Rohit Sharma. Chennai are captained by former India wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
