JOIN USWhere Gayle butchered the KKR attack with outrageous stroke-play, Kohli did so to Daredevils’ bowlers with a touch of finesse, killing them softly. Tillakaratne Dilshan’s second-ball dismissal was quickly banished frommemory as the youngster drove, cut and sliced Ashok Dinda and Irfan Pathan to collect six fours off the first 10 balls he faced. Together with Gayle, the 22-year-old gave such a start that despite their best efforts, Royal Challengers Bangalore couldn’t lose the match.
“I really wanted to do well at this ground,” said Kohli after picking up his first man of the match award of the season. “I was keen on scoring and I am happy I was able to do so. I was aware of the pitch and the conditions but you have to score on the given day. I had the confidence to do well.”
The Feroze Shah Kotla pitch came in for praise from Kohli. “I think it was a very good wicket. I think it is the best wicket I have played on here. The ball was coming very nicely on to the bat and it had pace for the bowlers as well. But to say that I scored because I was aware of the conditions won't be right,” he offered.
Though not exactly a mute spectator, Gayle was overshadowed by Kohli and that’s something you won’t see often. “It is amazing to have Gayle at the other end. He takes off the pressure from you. He is a great addition to the side. The kind of start he gave us in the previous match and this match also, it took the pressure off the middle-order.”
With two back-to-back wins under their belt, Kohli said, RCB would be looking to keep the momentum going. “The team is very positive. Now that we will be playing at home, we will be looking to make the most of the home advantage,” he opined.
Delhi skipper Virender Sehwag felt his team conceded too many boundaries in the first six overs. “We gave away too many runs in the first six overs. We came back with the wickets of Gayle and Virat and also the brilliant run out of AB de Villiers by Warner. I thought 160 was a par total and we should have defended it. It was a good match but I am on the losing side and I am not happy.”