Was putting too much pressure on myself in initial games, says Kohli

Dubai: After producing an unbeaten 90 off 52 balls in his side’s 37-run win against Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli said he was putting too much pressure on himself in the initial games of the tournament.

In the first three games, Kohli scored 14, 1, 3 respectively but he made a comeback in the last three matches and scored 72*, 43 and most latest 90 not out against Chennai.

He is the leading run-scorer of the side with 223 runs in six games followed by Devdutt Padikkal with 211 runs.
Kohli said it was a complete performance by the side after opting to bat first against Chennai.

“It was one of our more complete performances. Wanted to bat first but got into a bit of a trick situation there. We spoke at the time out that around 150 would be great. To gain some momentum now was very important because we have back-to-back games. When you don’t get too far ahead of the game, it rewards you [with respect to making 169 after playing for 150]. If you’re in at the death overs and you have a score and you’re hitting it well, you can capitalise well. That was something for us to learn tonight,” Kohli told host broadcaster Star Sports after the match.

“I was putting too much pressure on myself [in the early matches]. When you start burdening yourself too much, you don’t contribute as a player and your team needs that as well. That super over really opened my thinking up, where I had to perform or we would lose,” he added.
Chasing a moderate target of 170, RCB bowlers restricted Chennai to 132/8 in their allotted 20 overs as Chris Morris bagged three wickets while Washington Sundar claimed two scalps.

“Morris didn’t get an opportunity but there was still Morris to come and Gurkeerat to come. I think it was a complete performance and the intensity was right there, from the first over when we entered the field. It’s a good start and when you get momentum at this stage of the tournament it can separate you from the bottom of the table or going up,” Kohli said.

RCB will now lock horns against Kolkata Knight Riders at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday, October 12.