IPL 2020: Virat Kohli not in RCB flight to Dubai; fans clash on Twitter, draw comparisons with MS Dhoni

Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) players took off from Bengaluru for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday (August 21). However, there were arguments on Twitter over Virat Kohli missing from the flight in the picture posted by the franchise on its official Twitter handle.

<p>In the past few days, RCB have shared images on social media of players checking into hotels. Also, they had posted pictures of RCB players’ kit bags packed and ready for travel.</p>

In the past few days, RCB have shared images on social media of players checking into hotels. Also, they had posted pictures of RCB players’ kit bags packed and ready for travel.

<p>Today, RCB wrote with a picture, “UAE calling! The Royal Challengers are all set to take-off! Drop a (Red heart emoji) if you’re happy to see the RCB fam together again! #PlayBold #TravelDays #IPL2020 (sic).”</p>

Today, RCB wrote with a picture, “UAE calling! The Royal Challengers are all set to take-off! Drop a (Red heart emoji) if you’re happy to see the RCB fam together again! #PlayBold #TravelDays #IPL2020 (sic).”

<p>In the picture, RCB players can be seen seated inside an aircraft. However, their captain Kohli was not in the flight.</p>

In the picture, RCB players can be seen seated inside an aircraft. However, their captain Kohli was not in the flight.

<p>Skipper Kohli has not travelled to Bengaluru and is currently in Mumbai. It is still not clear whether the chartered plane will head to Mumbai from Bengaluru to pick the captain before going to the UAE.</p>

Skipper Kohli has not travelled to Bengaluru and is currently in Mumbai. It is still not clear whether the chartered plane will head to Mumbai from Bengaluru to pick the captain before going to the UAE.

<p>On Twitter, there were comments made against Kohli. A user said there is a “difference” between Kohli and MS Dhoni. However, some defended Kohli not being with the team now.</p>

On Twitter, there were comments made against Kohli. A user said there is a “difference” between Kohli and MS Dhoni. However, some defended Kohli not being with the team now.

<p>Dhoni, who announced his retirement from international cricket, is in Chennai attending a preparatory camp with his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammates.</p>

Dhoni, who announced his retirement from international cricket, is in Chennai attending a preparatory camp with his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammates.

<p>CSK too are set to leave for the UAE today (August 21). Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Delhi Capitals (DC), Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) left yesterday.</p>

CSK too are set to leave for the UAE today (August 21). Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Delhi Capitals (DC), Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) left yesterday.

<p>Kohli's fans have firmly defended the RCB skipper.</p>

Kohli's fans have firmly defended the RCB skipper.

<p>RCB have not won the IPL title and fans are hoping the drought will end this year.</p>

RCB have not won the IPL title and fans are hoping the drought will end this year.