Chennai, March 20: Having first come into the limelight as skipper of the successful 2008 Under-19 World Cup campaign, Virat Kohli is now a vital component of the Indian batting order.

Maturing with every innings, the 22-year-old Delhi lad vouched for the confidence and focus of Team India in a pre-match interview.

Excerpts from the chat.

On switching batting positions

Well, I mean you know we were in great positions when I was pushed down the order [in the past]. We wanted to accelerate and get more runs on the board. So there was a plan according to which I had to bat down the order. I was fine with it. In a team which has such strong batsmen this kind of a thing tends to happen.

On retaining his place in the Playing XI

I am happy playing in every match. With the batting line-up we have, I am happy and want to make the best of whatever opportunities come my way.

On whether he talks to his seniors about the U-19 title win

[The] Under-19 [campaign] was a completely different thing. The team is feeling really confident apart from the loss against South Africa.

On being in a position to virtually choose their quarter-final opponents

Well, [we’re happy to play] anyone. We want to win against the West Indies. If we win we play Australia. So surely we want to win this game.

On the loss against South Africa

Well, it is a new game altogether [against West Indies]. We [are bound to] lose the odd game and we have left that behind. We have learnt a lot from that game and have taken the positives from that defeat against South Africa.