Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli is in remarkable form at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, having amassed 354 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 88.50. The former captain of the Indian cricket team will mark his 35th birthday on Sunday, November 05, coinciding with India’s match against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
It’s worth noting that Kohli is just one century away from equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 One Day International (ODI) centuries, as he recently achieved his 48th century against Bangladesh. The star batsman is determined to achieve this milestone during the ongoing World Cup and aims to surpass his idol’s achievement in the upcoming matches. Surprisingly, when reflecting on his career, Kohli revealed that he had never envisioned reaching such remarkable milestones in his cricketing journey.
Virat Kohli in an exclusive interview to Star Sports said: “If we talk about cricket, I had never thought of achieving all, as in where my career is and how god has blessed me such a career span and performances. I had always dreamt I’d do this, but I had never thought things would pan out this way exactly, nobody can plan these things, the way your journey is going, and the way things unfold in front of you. I hadn’t thought that I’d score so many hundreds and so many runs in these 12 years. “
Additionally, when disclosing the key to his success, the batsman from Delhi explained that his primary focus has always been centred on delivering exceptional performances for the team and emerging victorious in challenging situations.
Virat Kohli plays a key role for India
Virat Kohli further added: “My only focus was that I should perform well for the team, and win games for the team from difficult situations. For that I made quite a few changes along the way regarding discipline and lifestyle. I always had the drive in me, but I lacked the professionalism.”
“Now I have a single-minded focus on how I want to play the game, and after that the results I’ve achieved is from playing that way itself. The game recognises effort. Honestly, that’s what I have learnt from my career. I’ve played cricket by giving my hundred percent on the field, and the blessings I have got from it have been given to me by God, and I had never thought things would have unfolded this way. “
It’s important to mention that Kohli boasts an impressive ODI record, amassing 13,437 runs in 287 matches at an average of 57.91 and a striking rate of 93.63. He has notched up 48 centuries and 69 half-centuries. The Delhi-born batsman aims to maintain his excellent performance in the upcoming World Cup matches and contribute to his team’s quest to secure the ICC title on home turf, putting an end to a 12-year-long wait for such an achievement.
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