IPL 2022: Virat Kohli finally opens up on POOR FORM after stunning half-century against GT, says ‘I was DISAPPOINTED for not helping for team’

“There are expectations because of the performances that you have put in. You need to keep the perspective right. You can forget the process in order to live up to the expectations,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony after being named player-of-the-match.

RCB v GT | Man of the Match | Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli gives his thoughts after leading RCB to a crucial win with a brilliant knock of 73(54) against GT. 🙌🏻#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2022 #Mission2022 #RCB #ನಮ್ಮRCB pic.twitter.com/icR2JEAg8o

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) May 20, 2022

Kohli said he had batted for one-and-a-half hours at the nets on Wednesday in his bid to find his mojo back.

“I have worked really hard. I batted 90 minutes in the nets yesterday. I came in very free and relaxed.”

Kohli compared his current situation with a few instances from the past.

“It is in that spur of the moment why is it happening to me. It goes back to 2018 in England when I was dropped on 21 and the juggernaut could have started again like it did on the 2014 tour. I won’t be standing here being ungrateful for all that I have achieved.”

“With the very first shot of Shami, I felt I could hit lengths balls over the fielder’s head. I knew that tonight was the night when I could kick on. It has been wonderful that I have got so much support in this edition. I am forever grateful to all the love that I have never seen before,” Kohli said.

RCB skipper Faf du Plessis said it is imperative for a team to back its players in their difficult times.

Awards galore for @imVkohli and @Gmaxi_32 after a memorable night at the Wankhede. 🤩👏🏻👏🏻#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2022 #Mission2022 #RCB #ನಮ್ಮRCB #RCBvGT pic.twitter.com/vfhfLufSsi

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) May 19, 2022

IPL 2022: Virat Kohli finally opens up on POOR FORM after stunning half-century against GT, says ‘I was DISAPPOINTED for not helping for team’

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“Throughout the season we haven’t done as much as have liked. But you still need to back these big players. Virat had been putting in the hard yards in the nets. I play the role with him and get him pumped up,” Du Plessis said.

“He has got so much emotions and hype pulls you through. It is as if you are playing a rugby game.”

By virtue of this win, RCB moved to fourth place in the standings with 16 points but will have to wait for the Delhi Capitals-Mumbai Indians game on Saturday to know their fate. A loss for Delhi would ensure RCB a play-off berth.

“A few inconsistent performances have put us in this situation. I am banking on Rohit (Sharma) to come good,” Du Plessis said.

GT captain Hardik Pandya said there were lot of learning from Thursday’s match ahead of their play-off matches.

That’s that from Match 67 as #RCB win by 8 wickets and are now 4th on the #TATAIPL Points Table.

Scorecard – https://t.co/TzcNzbrVwI #RCBvGT #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/K7uz6q15qQ

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 19, 2022

IPL 2022: Virat Kohli finally opens up on POOR FORM after stunning half-century against GT, says ‘I was DISAPPOINTED for not helping for team’

“We had just a par score. The ball was stopping here and there and we were happy with 168. We wanted to give Lockie the opportunity, but the wicket was holding a bit. So we wanted to go for bowlers who bowled slower ones and took pace off the ball.

Hardik said Wriddhiman Saha didn’t keep wickets as he was feeling his hamstring and kept out as a precautionary measure.