RCB’s miserable season hurts us all, says Virat Kohli

 It’s been a season where nothing has gone well for Royal Challengers Bangalore. The last season’s finalists are languishing at the foot of the table with just two wins in 13 games and Virat Kohli made no bones about his team’s performance this season.

“The kind of season we had needs no explanation. It certainly hurts us the most as players. We certainly tried everything to turn things around but it just didn’t happen. Sometimes in sport, these things happen. You have to accept them and move forward. Actually, it makes us more excited for the challenges in the coming years,” said the captain on the sidelines of a promotional event.

With their last win coming on April 18, the team has been without a win in their last seven matches. But despite the pressure and adversities, Kohli stressed that motivation comes easily enough.

“It’s pretty easy,” came the prompt reply. “If you play the sport for so long, you have to accept that these days will come. It’s important to have a set routine in your life that you can follow, not relying on results and then things become easier to cope up with. That’s how I keep myself motivated to go out there and do my best. But it doesn’t happen every time and you have to accept it.”

With India having played 13 Tests, eight ODIs and three T20s at home ahead of the IPL, Kohli also opened up about the difficulties in shifting between formats ahead of the Champions Trophy in England.

“When things are not going well, it is very difficult. When things are ok, it is not that tough. In general, it depends on how you mould your game and how basic you keep it and then altering according to formats. It’s definitely a switch in your head, it has nothing to do with practicing differently. If you complicate things too much, then it can get difficult but if you keep it simple, then you can still back your skills and succeed in all formats,” he signed off.