We wanted this sort of performance: Virat Kohli
RCB skipper Virat Kohli on Friday described his team’s nine-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals as a “well-earned” and “timely” victory and hoped to carry forward the momentum in the remaining IPL matches.(Full Coverage| Fixtures|Points Table)
Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday snapped their three-match losing streak with a much-needed win over
table-toppers Rajasthan Royals and Kohli said his team was desperate to win on Friday.
“We wanted this sort of a performance, this might be a momentum change for us. It’s a well-earned and timely win for us,” said Kohli, who blasted an unbeaten 62 to take his team home at the Sardar Patel Stadium.
“We had to pull the intensity up for us, brilliant effort with the ball and on the field. I asked the players to target bowlers they felt comfortable taking on, a lot of preparations go on and guys responded beautifully.”
“We know we can play like this but we can’t wait for things to happen, we have to make them happen. Tonight was a team performance, guys taking wickets equally, fielding was top notch,” he added.
His Rajasthan counterpart, Shane Watson blamed his batters for not putting enough runs on board after they were asked to take first strike by Kohli.
“We didn’t score enough, unfortunately. RCB outplayed us on Friday and summed up the conditions very well today. Getting 150-160 would have been a decent total probably, this wicket is pretty slow,” Watson said.
“There’s no excuse, every game is important and losing the Super Over match also had no excuse. Next time we’ll try to perform better when the opportunity arises. We just need momentum going our way,” said the Australian.
Mitchell Starc, who was adjudged the Man-of-the-Match for his three-wicket haul, said: “I’m not 100 per cent yet, feeling good. The ball is coming out well, few things to improve on.
“I don’t think there’s a bowler in the world who’s 100%, let’s stick to that. I probably swung the ball too much to the leg side and leaked a few runs. The conditions are different here but happy with the plans working out here.”
