Kohli hoping for home support from Kotla

Bangalore's Delhi star, Virat confident of home support for today's Kotla tie

Kohli hoping for home support from Kotla

Bangalore's Delhi star, Virat confident of home support for today's Kotla tieu00a0

Virat Kohli has had a quiet Indian Premier League (IPL) by his standards this season, but the 22-year-old right-handed batsman is less concerned. On the eve of the clash with Delhi Daredevils, the Royal Challengers Bangalore player spoke about his appreciation for fellow Indians who have done well in the T20 tournament so far and taking on his 'home' team at his 'home' ground, the Feroz Shah Kotla.

Excerpts:

Royal Challengers Bangalore's Virat Kohli. Pic/AFP

Your summary of this IPL...
Our (RCB) confidence is back after the win against KKR the other day. As a unit, we want to keep winning.

You were the only player to be retained by RCB...
It has boosted my confidence. Of course, you feel a bit of pressure when such faith is shown, but I see it as added responsibility and a matter of pride. You also learn to deal with the pressure of expectation.

How is it to be an 'outsider' in your home town today?
It is funny. But, I do expect a bit of support at the Kotla since people have always backed me. After the World Cup triumph, you can expect some sections of the crowd backing me too!

Isn't the schedule grueling?
To be honest, the first week of the IPL was tough mentally after the high intensity games in the World Cup.
But, it's getting better now. If you look at the table , it is getting really interesting. After every match, there is a new twist. Apart from Mumbai Indians, no team has looked like dominating the tournament so far.

Which player has impressed you the most?
Who else but Paul Valthaty! He has played superbly. Rohit Sharma has done well. He has always been a fine batsman and this season it has been no different. Ravindra Jadeja has been magnificent down the order. Murali Vijay and S Badrinath have also done well.

Why only Indian players?
We have a healthy competition amongst ourselves and take pride in doing well for our respective teams. I genuinely appreciate when Indian players do well and I think they also feel the same when I do well.

Among the bowlers...
Again, who else but (Lasith) Malinga! Spinners like Harbhajan (Singh), (Daniel) Vettori and Saeed Mohammed have also done well. Actually, every match is throwing up a new star and that's the beauty of the IPL.

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