IPL 2019 | We showed character despite losing toss on such wicket, says Virat Kohli

IPL 2019 | We showed character despite losing toss on such wicket, says Virat Kohli

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IPL

Virat Kohli has stated that the Royal Challengers Bangalore showed a lot of character, even after losing a crucial toss against Delhi Capitals on a wicket like Feroz Shah Kotla. DC had opted to bat first and scored 185 on a slow pitch but RCB eventually fell short of the score by 16 runs.

On Sunday’s encounter between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals, the latter had won the toss and had opted to bat first before their openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer, ensured that the team got to a fine start. Though they lost their way in the middle as a cluster of wickets fell between the 15th and the 17th over, Sherfane Rutherford's late knock of 28 in 13 balls made a huge difference, something even RCB skipper Virat Kohli acknowledged.

“It was a very important one (toss) especially with how the wicket played. We showed a lot of character even after losing the toss, but it got away a little bit in the end,” he said at the post-match presentation ceremony, reported Cricbuzz.

In their pursuit of 186, RCB started exceedingly well as they scored over 60 runs in the powerplay but lost Parthiv Patel, who had scored 39 off 20, to Axar Patel in the sixth over. The other batsmen also got good starts but failed to convert it into a big score. Both Kohli and AB de Villiers were dismissed while trying to hit a pull shot as spinners Axar and Amit Mishra bowled well conceding 55 runs and scalping three wickets in their three overs. Sandeep Lamichhane gave away 36 runs in his three overs but bowled better than the figures suggest. And the skipper felt that the target was 25 runs above par, especially with the slow pitch making it easier for spinners.

“We were thinking 160-165 but 185 on that sort of a pitch, with three spinners, was always going to be tough. Delhi played better than us in the crunch moments. We started off really well with the bat. PP was outstanding and then I got going, but me and AB getting out to balls that you don't get out to. That's how the game goes some times,” expressed the 30-year-old.

RCB started their season horribly losing six games on the trot but they have been able to salvage some respect with four wins in the next six games. They have two more games left to play against Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad and the skipper vowed to have fun.

“We just decided to have a lot of fun and that's why we won four out of the last six games we have played. The important thing now, with two games left, is to go out there and have fun. Not take too much pressure,” the India captain said.

“Obviously we want to perform as best as we can, but the fun factor should not go away. We put ourselves under too much pressure in the first six games and then it is always hard work in the latter half. We have to go out there and play positive cricket. Once the last two games are done, sit down and see where the tournament goes,” he signed off.

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