Naveen Kumar: I'm only getting started

A career-high 16-point performance from raider Naveen Kumar helped Dabang Delhi K.C. register a 36-27 victory over U.P. Yoddha at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex in Delhi on Sunday. In the post-match press conference, coach Krishan Kumar Hooda, captain Joginder Narwal and raider Naveen took questions for Dabang Delhi K.C., while U.P. Yoddha were represented by assistant coach Arjun Singh and skipper Nitesh Kumar.

Dabang Delhi K.C.

Q. Coach, thoughts on the performance?

Krishan Kumar Hooda: I'd like to congratulate my players. I couldn’t have asked for a better performance. Even when we were down to two men, we managed to swing the tide in a couple of raids. Brilliant all-round performance by the team and especially, Naveen Kumar. The way he’s played, he deserves a special mention.

Q. Joginder, as a captain how pleased are you with Naveen’s performance?

Joginder Narwal: When I ask him to give his 100%, he gives that and then some more. He exceeds every expectation I have of him. I'm honoured to be the captain of this team and to have a player like Naveen in our team. The defence, too, is unbelievable. I'm extremely pleased.

Q. Naveen, is there pressure on you to perform?

Naveen Kumar: When I have the coach's trust and teammates as good as the ones at Dabang Delhi K.C., how can one be under pressure? The support I receive is unbelievable and I hope I can continue helping the team.

Q. Coach, how will you approach the next two days before your game against U Mumba?

Krishan Kumar Hooda: We'll be practising hard over the next two days. There is no time to rest. We can’t even think of relaxing.

Q. Naveen, thoughts on your moniker 'Naveen Express' and the adulation you have been receiving?

Naveen Kumar: It’s humbling and I'm grateful. But I haven’t achieved anything yet. I'm only getting started. There are plenty of matches left and we need to continue playing good kabaddi.

U.P. Yoddha

Q. Coach, thoughts on the performance?

Arjun Singh: Our defence could have played better. Our raiding unit played extremely well today, but the occasion got the better of our young defenders.

Q. Do you think the team has missed Rishank Devadiga's leadership?

Arjun Singh: Rishank's leadership is obviously a huge plus, but we also have Monu Goyat, who is a leader and was vocal on the mat today. The defenders made some advanced tackles that they could have avoided. Monu was controlling the game well.

Q. Do you feel Monu lacked support in the raiding department?

Arjun Singh: Shrikant Jadhav had a rare off day. If Monu had gotten some support towards the end, we could have won.

Q. Nitesh, is every game now a must-win?

Nitesh Kumar: Not really. If you have seen the league table, teams that have strung together a run of two-three wins climb up substantially in the standings. We have 12 games left and we'll definitely try to improve on the results.