India vs Zimbabwe 2016: Mandeep Singh says Virat Kohli's work ethic is inspiring

Mandeep Singh in action for RCB

The 24-year-old, Mandeep Singh who is also a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad in the IPL has admitted that he draws a lot of inspiration from his RCB captain, Virat Kohli's work ethic. One of the most promising cricketers in the country, who plays his domestic cricket for Punjab in the Raji trophy, Singh has been recently called up to represent India in Zimbabwe later this month.

A member of the Kolkata Knight Riders set up in 2010, Mandeep Singh has gone on to play for Kings XI Punjab between 2011 and 2014 before finally moving to the Royal Challengers Bangalore camp last year. Although he had featured in a solitary game for the Royal Challengers in this year's IPL, the 24-year-old believes that the time he had spent with the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers will help him a lot in the near future.

“I think I have been very lucky to play alongside both of them (Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers). I chatted about (my) technique with AB,” the youngster told the press on the eve of Team India's departure for Zimbabwe.

“With Virat, I chatted about fitness, fielding, and batting. In the two years that I have been with him, he has been helping me a lot. He spoke to me a lot about my head position (while batting). I am trying a lot to match his fitness level. His work ethic is inspiring,” Mandeep Singh added.

The 24-year-old had racked up 432 runs for Kings XI Punjab back in 2012. Having scored a couple of half-centuries in the process, Singh ended the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League not only as the highest run-getter for KXIP but the 24-year-old was also adjudged the winner of ‘Rising Star of the Tournament Award'.

An aggressive batsman himself, Mandeep Singh admitted that spending some time in the middle is the key to success as a batsman. “Whatever be the format if you give yourself some time, the chances of you succeeding are better. This is what I have realised in the last couple of years,” the youngster added.

The diminutive opener also believes that a good batsman should always be able to properly assess and adapt to any given situation on a cricket field. “If you are batting low and have to play shots, then you don't have a chance (to take time). So, I have to play according to the situation,” he concluded.