Virat Singh is yet to make his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) but the young southpaw is hopeful of a spot in the playing XI this time.

The 23-year-old has already slipped into training groove ahead of the highly popular cash-rich tournament which unfolds in India this time on April 9. The global Covid pandemic had forced organisers Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host the last edition of IPL in the UAE.

Virat, who lives with his parents in the Sonari locality of Jamshedpur, has been retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad which did not avail his services in the last IPL. However, the talented batsman with quick reflexes is least disappointed and knows that he will get an opportunity to let his bat do the talking any day now.

"I think I am in good form. I scored an unbeaten 103 off 53 balls (against Assam), 67 off 37 balls (versus Odisha) and 47 off 35 balls (against Bengal) in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Calcutta. I have a good feeling and I am hopeful of getting an opportunity to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad this time," the Jharkhand batsman said.

Aware that the IPL would be challenging, Virat is working hard on his fitness. He is already sweating it out in the gym and also sprinting to keep himself in fine fettle. “I am concentrating on my strength and stamina by working out at the gym of Keenan Stadium. Fitness holds the key and I want to remain fit as a fiddle during the IPL," he added.

Virat, who lives with his businessman father Binid Singh, homemaker mother Renu and siblings Vivek and Vishal, informed that he would be leaving for Chennai on March 28. "Our training camp starts in Chennai on April 3. We will be quarantined for 5-6 days before the camp. The camp has been scheduled in Chennai since the first five matches of Sunrisers Hyderabad is in that city. We launch our campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 11," he said.

Virat has led the Jharkhand under-19 side and made his debut for the state senior side in Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2014. The left-hander, who also bowls leg spin, has the ability to hold the innings while accelerating. He is a regular in Jharkhand Ranji Trophy side and is known for his attacking approach, a key element when it comes to slam-bang cricket like the IPL.