'I just need one good game' - Kohli

Virat Kohli isn't too worried about his own form, despite averaging a mere 17.11 over 10 innings, without a single half-century. He says he's hitting the ball well, and just needs one good performance to turn things around.

"I've got out in every possible way this season and the only thing that is left is hit wicket," he said. "But it's all part and parcel of cricket. I have to be mature enough to take these things in my stride.

"It's frustrating when the team doesn't get the right results, but I am not worried about my performance so long as the team keeps performing. I believe in my abilities and I need just one good game. In a tournament like IPL it's very difficult to get out of a zone that you get into. I am still hitting the ball well, that much I know. In cricket sometimes things don't go your way and am experiencing that."

'I enjoy batting at No. 3' - Naman Ojha

Promoted to No. 3, Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha smashed an unbeaten 36-ball 79 against Kings XI Punjab. Ojha says he would love to bat up the order more often.

"I would love to continue batting at No.3," he told iplt20.com. "I am enjoying that responsibility of building an innings and scoring when needed the most. When I play at No.5 or 6, it gets difficult to hit from ball-one, whereas I have the time to shape my innings when I bat at the top. Bowlers at the death, at times, bowl in the block hole, which gets difficult for a batsman to hit; whereas, at the top of the innings when the field restrictions are still on, there is a scope to score more freely."

'I'm the opener India are looking for' - Uthappa

Robin Uthappa, the Kolkata Knight Riders batsman, has enjoyed a purple patch since moving up to open the batting. Crediting his coach Pravin Amre and 'changes in his set-up and initial movements' for his improved footwork and shot selection, Uthappa is confident he can step up and perform if he gets an India recall.

"I have definitely missed contributing to the success of our team in the last few years," he told the Times of India. "As far as the hunger is concerned, I believe my performances are speaking on my behalf. And I do believe that I am the opening batsman that the team is looking for and am confident that I am going to contribute a lot to the country's success in the future."

Shami hails Kirsten and Simons for their compassionate approach

Mohammed Shami hasn't had the greatest of seasons, having picked up just five wickets in 10 matches and conceded an economy rate of 8.21 for Delhi Daredevils. Shami is disappointed that he hasn't been able to get his team wickets with the new ball, "which is the main role assigned to me," and says he is working hard to change that. He is grateful to the Daredevils coaching staff, though, for not putting too much pressure on him.

"The support of a coach is very important for a bowler, especially if he helps you grow and improve without putting too much pressure on you," he told Mail Today. "That's the best thing about Gary [Kirsten] and Eric [Simons]; they handle things very smoothly and with love and compassion."