Batting star Virat Kohli emphasised on shutting out external noise and not caring about “what anyone says on the outside” after starring in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday.
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Kohli smashed a 63-ball 100, bringing up his first century in the IPL in four years, and stitched a match-winning 172-run partnership with skipper Faf du Plessis as Bangalore chased down the 187-run target set by Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium with four deliveries to spare, greatly boosting their hopes of reaching the playoffs for a second season in a row.
“I never look at past numbers. I put myself under so much stress already. I don’t give myself enough credit sometimes despite playing impact knocks. (So) I don’t care what anyone says on the outside. Because that is their opinion,” said Kohli at the post match presentation, when asked about his not so great record against SRH.
“When you are in that situation yourself, you know how to win games of cricket. I have done that for a long period of time, it is not like when I play I don’t win games for my team. I take pride in playing according to the situation,” said Kohi, who was named Player of the Match.
Kohli, who has often been criticised for slowing down at the middle overs, said he would want to remain true to his technique and avoid playing fancy shots.
“I’ve never been a guy who plays so many fancy shots. We have to play 12 months of the year. For me, its not about playing fancy shots and throwing my wicket away. It’s Test cricket (coming up) after the IPL. I have to stay true to my technique and find ways to win games for my team.
“Quite special considering the magnitude of the game. Thought SRH got a very good score. Ball was gripping as well. Faf’s been on a different level. I’ve had a quiet couple of games. The way I was hitting in the nets wasn’t transitioning into the middle.”
In Photos: Kohli, du Plessis guide RCB to eight-wicket win over SRH
Asked what is the secret about he and du Plessis performing so well as a pair, Kohli joked, “I think it’s the tattoos.”
“Very similar to how AB and me batting together. There’s a good sense of where we (he and du Plessis) are and how to take the game forward. It’s been a beautiful transition for us coming together for RCB at the top and making an impact.”
Talking about crowd support for RCB even if it was an away match, Kohli said, “Blessed and grateful for the support. I told Faf that it was like a home game, cheering for RCB and taking my name as well. I feel you can’t create this. I haven’t forced anyone to support me. It’s an amazing position to be in that you can provide happiness to so many people.”
Du Plessis said his team were clinical with the bat and the ball.
“Amazing chase. We felt it was a good wicket walking off and that 200 was the par score despite Klaasen’s ton. Not too many balls that spun or stuck on the wicket so we wanted to play positively.
“We were clinical with the bat today and ball last game. Kohli and I complement each other well, hit different areas and are good mates on and off well which works for us.
“Taking the momentum home is key. Away conditions are tough. Chinnaswamy will be amazing for another must-win game for us.”
With inputs from PTI
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