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Delighted to be playing against Mumbai tomorrow; Kohli

Delighted to be playing against Mumbai tomorrow; Kohli

Bengaluru, Apr 13 (UNI) Injured RCB captain Virat Kohli today said he will play tomorrow against Mumbai Indians, as he had a long wait a month witnessing IPL action, but not playing for his team. Kohli indicated that dropped Chris Gayle, in the previous match, will be playing tomorrow's match. Reflecting on his feelings on sitting on the bench, after the Australia test series, Kohli told reporters here today ahead of tomorrow's match that the month long wait out of action in the IPL was 'difficult'. Kohli, who suffered a shoulder injury whiled fielding during Raipur third test against Australia, missed out the Dharmashala fourth Test and also the first three matches for the RCB. 'It has been a while since I sat on this chair for a month (being injured). It is never a good feeling when you have played for seven eight years (in IPL) without missing a game. I am just delighted to be back and excited to take the field,' the sportsman said. On West Indian opener Chris Gayle excluded in the previous match, he said it was a decision of the captain. 'When you want to create a combination, you thrown with many names. But, Chris has always been a priority for us. Last game was a scenario when AB de Villiers came in, Shane Watson was the captain and other two (foreign players) guys were bowling well. So it was difficult to leave three and the bowlers out,' he explained. But Kohli indicated that Chris Gayle will be in for tomorrow's match saying that RCB will go with the strongest possible combination.


For test series he said he would focus a lot on what was in his hand as RCB captain and not much on a larger picture. "In that big series, that was really big event, May I could have done thins differently. But in the larger picture, what is important for the team, I was focused on that, I have learnt a lot from that phase,' Kohli said. The Indian captain said focus was his watchword and learning his intent. Learning as a captain, an individual, as a person, he would remained focused. 'But I will definitely handle it better than I have in some instances in the past. Not necessarily taking everything onto me or taking too much of load on myself and letting things go. 'The last few weeks have been irritating as far as going on to the field (without playing) is concerned but a lot of times to introspect and understand what needs to be done going forward. It will make me stronger and i will know how to handle it better,' he added. When asked to judge his leadership of India team Kohli said it was too early to judge himself with other big names leading India in just 18-20 tests. 'If you compare other captains I am inexperienced across all three formats even if I have learnt some. Shane Watson did a very good job (in the first RCB outings). He has experience in captaincy because he captained Rajasthan Royals before. I can't (be a jury) to judge him. He has been patient with them. He had his plans spot on.', he added. On Mumrai Indians as opponents tomorrow he said the team was strong and won IPL twice. 'In the present team, you see Mumbai has retained their top players and introduced one or two fresh faces every time and it has balance. In IPL, you can't take any team for granted and Mumbai, in that aspect, is stronger.' He said pint sized Kedar Jadhav, the top Indian batsman can do much better and will be a factor in RCB scheme of things tomorrow. Kohli said he was not bothered that AB de Villers did not bat at the net today and said he would be ready for the game tomorrow. 'May be he was playing with the kids,' he quipped.


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