Published: Apr 03, 2013, 11:50 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 03, 2013, 11:50 PM (IST)
Virat Kohli said he really enjoyed the challenge of captaincy before in couple of matches © PTI
Bangalore: Apr 3, 2013
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli said he was unhappy to miss the services of Anil Kumble as the ‘Mentor’ but the players guided by the former India captain would turn the heat on Mumbai Indians on Thursday.
“We miss the services of Kumble, but luckily we have bunch of players he had mentored who are pretty confident, and we are ready to cash on them,” he told reporters here on the eve of the match against Mumbai Indians.
Kohli further said Kumble’s attitude of giving hundred per cent on the field and giving confidence to players a little low in confidence strick him the most.
“He kept pushing players to perform. When the players were down, he would pull them up all by himself. That was something very striking about his captaincy. I surely like to implement the same as he did on the field,” he elaborated.
Kohli said Zaheer is suffering from a bit of side strain and is almost 70-80 per cent fit and rearing to go in next couple of games.
The talented batsman said AB de Villiers will be missed initially as he has been batting beautifully in recent times, but the team has guys to cover up his absence.
Kohli said he really enjoyed the challenge of captaincy before in couple of matches and is an honour to lead the guys boasting of an experience of 20 years.
“I have grown seen them playing on the TV. Now I have a chance to lead them in IPL. Hopefully I can do the right things on the field,” he said.
Kohli also added,”We have also have few all-rounders who are getting into the groove,” he said.
He further added that he has told his teammates that focus should be on their performance rather than concentrating on others.
“All we can do is to concentrate on our skills,” he said.
The mood of the team is good, but cannot take any team lightly.
“We cannot expect anything in IPL. All we have to do is concentrate on one game at a time,” he said.
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