IPL 7: RCB play hard and party hard too, says Vijay Mallya

Giving a pep talk to his players, Royal Challengers Bangalore owner Vijay Mallya on Wednesday expressed his desire to see RCB lift the Indian Premier League trophy this year. "It is up to you (RCBians). You can do it. You know you can do it. Just go do it, and we want to take that IPL-7 trophy in our hand this year, so good luck to all of you we have a great team, great atmosphere. We play hard and party hard too," he told players in an interaction on RCB's official website. (Also read: Srinivasan taking 'unilateral' decisions, 'rebel' BCCI members want emergency meeting)

RCB will kickstart their IPL-7 season when they take on Delhi Daredevils in Sharjah on Thursday. Before the interaction, Mallya was seen welcoming the players and other support staff, but he was seen warmly hugging RCB's new face Yuvraj Singh, who came in for heavy flak for his scratchy innings in the T20 World Cup finals against Sri Lanka. (Related: Karthik to lead Delhi Daredevils)

He also greeted other stars including Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, skipper Virat Kohli, Ashok Dinda and support staff, especially former South African fast bowler Alan Donald and Kiwi left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori. (In pics: IPL 'bowled over' by Shah Rukh, Deepika)

Mallya further said he believes his team can win the title as there is an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie among players. "It is an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie. You know everybody are friends. There is no level up and down. We are living together and we all want to be one very happy bunch of friends. So welcome, good luck. That's all I want to say," he said.