ODI World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli Beyond Technique, Towards Team Triumphs

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In an exclusive conversation with Star Sports, Indian cricket stalwart Virat Kohli opened up about the iconic moments that defined his clash against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup.

Reflecting on the 'Shot of the Century,' as dubbed by the ICC, Kohli shed light on the profound impact of such instances and how they contribute to the rich tapestry of cricketing memories.

Revisiting the unforgettable shot, Kohli expressed his nostalgia, saying, "I have seen this a lot of times, but these small things in the middle, these are very special because obviously, you have lived these moments but you haven't seen it again.

Just those little moments are something that I feel very nostalgic about, and in a good way. You know what you did, and that moment got captured in some way, and someone has seen it."

Acknowledging the larger forces at play during that moment, Kohli credited destiny and the unpredictability of his cricketing journey. He mused, "If anyone comes up to me and says when I was 10 that at 35, I will be here, if anyone claims that they knew what was going to happen in written and sign it, I would have given them everything.

If they knew what my 25-year journey would be, that it happened to have reached here, that is a larger package, it is a compressed version. I didn't know what was going to happen and how it happened. It just happened; I can't sit here and claim it. That is a larger package and that is injustice to what I felt that night, I can never forget it in my life. Never. And that is the reason people who saw it felt the same thing. It wasn't like someone said it or claimed it; the moment had purity, and everyone felt it."

Delving into his approach towards the game and personal growth as a cricketer, Kohli spoke about the continuous challenge he poses to himself. He emphasized that improvement is not solely about refining technique but, more crucially, about strategizing to contribute to team victories.

Kohli remarked, "I think you can call it that for sure. There is one thing that is practice on technique and on skill. There is one where you think about techniques that you can use to win the match or if I can play like this, this is an improvement for sure."

He revealed a lesser-known aspect of batting improvement, stating, "A lot of people don't know this about the improvement of batting. Improvement happens when you think what can I add to my game to win the match. You don't do it to become a complete batsman.

This very few people know that to technically look good you don't practice; it is so that I can learn a new shot and I can score runs for the team and win the match. I can cover all the spaces and score runs, and that should be the motivation. Think that's a nice way to put it; no one has given me perspective about this thing, but it feels like that it is certainly a gift."

Expressing gratitude for being part of such moments, Kohli concluded, "It is not something that I will ever claim; I can only feel grateful. I mean, how can you not feel grateful? You're a part of a moment which you felt was so pure and so intense at the same time, and you were chosen to be there in the execution of that moment. If I have seen such a moment, I will remember Sachin sir's sixes in Sharjah in the World Cup. And I'm in that moment, so I remember when this happened as well; everything comes to your mind."

As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the clash between India and Netherlands in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 on November 12th, Virat Kohli's insights into the game's nuances and his journey add an extra layer of anticipation.

Following the game, viewers can catch the second installment of 'Believe: The Diwali Miracle' featuring Virat Kohli, exclusively on the Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar, offering a deeper dive into the mind of one of cricket's modern legends.