Pro Kabaddi League 2017 Season 5: "If Rishank can do it, why can't I?" questions Rohit Kumar after shattering record for most raid points
When Rishank Devadiga scored 28 raid points against Jaipur Pink Panthers, it created shock waves in the Pro Kabaddi circuit. Little did anyone imagine that an individual could possibly score so many in a single game.
But as fate would have it, on Tuesday, Rishank realized what it felt like to be at the receiving end of a monster performance. Bengaluru Bulls inflicted an embarrassing 64-24 defeat on UP Yoddha and one man, in particular, brought about a storm.
Bulls captain, Rohit Kumar scored a mind-boggling 30 raid points and 32 in total, thereby shattering the previous record set by Rishank just days earlier. Kumar looked invincible, it was a sight to behold watching him relentlessly cause carnage in UP's half. Post the game, Rohit spoke about his dream performance.
"I was never playing for the record but if Rishank can do it why can't I? If he can score 28 points, why can't I? Is there something missing in me? I was thinking about this when I entered the mat," he said.
But Rohit rued the fact that his record came a tad too late in the season. Failing to secure a playoff berth, he suggested that this record should have been broken two days earlier rather than today. But Kumar was grateful for the adulation he received from the fans who were treated to some five-star raiding.
"If I had played like this a couple of games earlier, we would have even qualified, we would have been saved. But I felt nice making a new record, I was waiting for this moment for a long time. I have received a lot of love today, I don't know why but my feet never stopped moving," he explained.
The Bulls captain gave the media a little insight into the way he thinks as a raider. He revealed that the people's perception of him plays a huge role in his performance. Fans and critics alike expect him to deliver week in week out and this helps him keep going when things get challenging.
"Scoring 200 raid points was the minimum. People have this image of me and it was important to live up to it. I wasn't scoring well but made up for it in this game."
"My coach had dreams that I would perform like this one day. He always desired for a game like this. His blessings worked for me. I dedicate this to my parents," he signed off.