Virat Kohli defends Bangalore bowlers

Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Virat Kohli has said it was disappointing to see his team lose the IPL playoff-qualifier match against Chennai Super Kings, especially when he had made an important contribution.

"It was disappointing to be on the losing side especially when you have put in efforts while batting when your team wanted the most. We need to move on now and focus on our next match," Kohli, who scored a magnificent 70 of 44 balls, told reporters here on the sidelines of a promotional event.

"It was tough honestly. I think we shouldn't have bowled the balls that we bowled in the last few overs," he added.

The 22-year-old Delhi cricketer, however, defended Bangalore bowlers, who failed to defend the score of 175, saying that it was an one-off day.

"We have bowled well in the depth. This was one match where we didn't do well....You have a one-off day in T20 cricket and you can't bowl consistently all the time."

Kohli, who has scored 1,954 runs in 54 ODIs for India and is the fastest Indian to score 1,000 runs in One-dayers, said his willingness to take more responsibility has helped him mature quickly.

"I have always tried to take more responsibility. It helps you get matured. When you want to win a game for your country, your thinking changes completely rather than when you think about playing a supporting role and are contented with small contributions. In such a role your mind gets casual.

"You should think about playing a match-winning innings and winning the match for your team rather than thinking that there are seniors who are more experienced than you.

"This is a big difference that I have seen in IPL. You have to have a match-winning attitude," he said.

Kohli said he did not want any rest despite having played a long cricket season, which also included the ICC World Cup. 

"I want to play as much cricket as possible right now. It depends on any person in particular. If you have played for long, you feel you need rest at some point of time. Indian team plays most cricket in the world. It is not a bad thing for seniors to take rest. 

"You need to manage according to the series and keep the players fit as well.

"You just can't stress your body and worry about what people will think if you take rest. Its a personal decision," he said.

Kohli, a key player in India's victorious campaign at the World Cup, said his century (100 not out) against Bangladesh in the opening game gave him a lot of confidence.

"I scored a century in my first (World Cup) match. It was a very special moment for me. I just gained confidence throughout the World Cup and it helped me make contributions at important times," he added. 

He further said that his aim was to represent India in the longer version of the game.

"Playing Test matches for India has been my aim and is something that I want to achieve."