Virat Kohli relaxed going into IPL 5

India's in-form batsman Virat Kohli says he is a lot more relaxed going into the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League than he was the last season.

The 23-year-old has been in stellar form recently. He was the best batsman for India on the Australia tour and carried his form into the Asia Cup in Bangladesh.

Kohli, who plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, said he is not feeling the pressure to perform in the cash-rich event unlike last year.

"I am really excited about the IPL. I am feeling a lot relaxed this time around as I wanted to prove a point in the last edition," Kohli said ahead of RCB's opening match against Delhi Daredevils in Bangalore on Saturday.

IPL is getting longer with every season and Kohli said it would be a challenge to perform consistently in the tournament.

"We have 16 league games to go. It is going to be a challenge for everyone. I am looking forward to each and every game," he said.

When the discussion veered to his India team-mate Sachin Tendulkar getting the Bharat Ratna, Kohli said it is time the master blaster is awarded the country's highest civilian award.

"He really deserves the Bharat Ratna. Whatever he has done is incredible. I don't think anyone else can even think of making 100 international hundreds and play for over 22 years. It is something impossible," he said.

Kohli's comment comes a day after Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan told the state assembly that his government will recommend Sachin's name for the honour.