Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) cricketer Parthiv Patel reckons his team has not performed as badly in the ongoing IPL season so far as it may seem by a look at the points table. Virat Kohli-led RCB has now had four consecutive defeats in as many games and needs to quickly turn its fortunes around if it is to have any chance of making the playoffs round. 

But ahead of his team's next game on Friday (April 5) against Kolkata Knight Riders, wicketkeeper batsman Parthiv at the pre-match press conference said, "We can't shy away from saying that we are under the pump, that's definitely the case, there is no doubt about it. However, we are quite positive about the team."

"The kind of team we have, we don't deserve to have lost four games in a row. Even if you look at last game, we didn't field well, bat well or bowl well and still the game went almost to the last ball."

Parthiv then talked about skipper Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, who haven't quite lit up the tournament with their batting so far, but are approaching near to some tremendous landmarks. While Kohli needs just another 17 runs to complete 8,000 runs in T20 cricket, De Villiers is only 15 runs short of becoming the second highest run-scorer for RCB. 

"I think more than anything, Virat and AB will try and score big," said Parthiv. "AB had a good game against Mumbai here and Virat got a 40 as well in the same game. They set very high standards and that is the reason why they are talked about."

"Personally knowing Virat and AB, milestones do not matter to them. Many players including the captain, focus on winning matches rather than reaching their milestones."

Parthiv has batted well in this IPL season thus far. He made a valiant half-century versus Rajasthan Royals in the last match. Even the fact that he has not had a regular opening partner at the top, is not proving to be much of a discomfort for the veteran left-hander. 

"Personally, I have played for so many teams and played with so many openers, it doesn't matter that much to me," he said. "I have played a lot with Virat and Moeen together. I know what my role is and it doesn't worry me too much. Everyone knows their role. It's not like suddenly we decide that someone is opening."

"I am happy with my performance, but individual performances do not matter as much. Every time I get an opportunity to play, I try to perform to the best of my ability," Parthiv signed off. 

(Inputs from PTI)