New Delhi: When Virat Kohli led the Under-19 Indian cricket team to its second world cup title way back in 2008, who would have thought that one day he will be compared with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.
In the ongoing World T20, Kohli has made 184 runs in 4 innings till now with an average of 92 and a strike rate of 132. Especially, his memorable 82-run knock against Australia on Sunday that led the team into the semi finals of the ICC World T20 has made him the most talked about cricketer across the world as on today.
Here are the top ten quotes by him that reveal a lot about his batting style, personal life, career and the awe-inspiring innings against Australia:
(Before 2009), I did not have so much belief in my game — about being able to cover up later in the innings. But now I have started to realise that I have the ability to catch up with the required rate later on. And that is what gives me the best chance of going out there and doing the same thing again and again, because I back my game.” - (2015)
The game plan in my initial days in T20 was to get 10 off 10 and then take off. But I realised that I don’t have the kind of shots to hit big sixes. I have come to terms with the fact that I cannot hit big sixes, so I focus on boundaries.” -- (2016)
“I don’t feel the need to play extravagant shots… For me it’s important to play low risk cricket for the team and yet maintaining my aggressive intent. It’s the balance I’ve always worked on.” -- (2014)
"Me and him (Dhoni) have a great understanding as to where to hit the ball and how to push the fielders on the boundary, and that’s why you train in the gym. That’s why you do those fitness regimes, those sprints, and all the other tests that you go through. When I’m tired I should be able to run as fast as when I’m on zero, and I think that training paid off today.” —Virat Kohli, after Sunday’s game
"I visualise a lot; that’s one of my strengths. I don’t know if that’s a spiritual side or not but I do talk to myself a lot. When I’m planning for my next innings, I visualise who’s going to bowl to me, what I am going to do against him.” – (2014)
“I knew a hundred per cent that I had to target James Faulkner in the 18th over. I thought 3 overs and 39 runs, and one over has to be a big one at least close to 15 runs. We got bigger (19) than that.” —Virat Kohli, after Sunday’s game
"I cannot understand how despite playing in front of 50-60,000 fans in the ground I am not bothered at all. I can see everyone, I am out there in the open, but still I am not drifting, I am not getting carried away. That makes you think that, yes, you belong. You are meant to do this. You have the ability and the skill to actually perform in these conditions because you are able to focus on that one delivery despite so many obstacles.” – (2016)
"I don’t want to be remembered just as someone who played for India. I want to set an example for the people who will play for India after us.” – (2014)
"In cricket, my superhero is Sachin Tendulkar. He has always been my hero and will continue to remain so. Apart from him and outside cricket, my mother has remained my inspiration. Whatever difficult time I had faced, she was always there for me. She has given me all the strength. She maintained her composure and supported me in tough times," – (2013)
"Shame on people for trolling @AnushkaSharma non-stop. Have some compassion. She has always only given me positivity," tweeted Virat Kohli.
