I get to live all these amazing moments – Virat Kohli reveals what keeps him going
Virat Kohli continued his phenomenal form in the ODI series opener at Thiruvananthapuram against West Indies, smashing his way to an 88-ball 139 as the Men in Blue sealed an emphatic 8-wicket win.
Talking at the post-game interview, Virat Kohli opened up on his current mindset and how that has enabled him to play freely.
Opening up on his headspace, Kohli said, “I'm just very grateful and happy, to be honest. Like, you know, it's... I think the only thing we need to do is just look back once and, where we came from. That's something that we tend to forget when we are caught up with the hustle of the world and the positions we get into with so much attention and fame and so much love from the fans.”
He further added, “It can be very easy to forget where you came from. But I think just looking back at the journey from when you started as a child just makes you feel grateful. I enjoy each and every minute that I'm out there playing for India, because I understand that, as I said, I could have been a possibility that I wouldn't be standing here. I wouldn't have played for India at all.”
Kohli continued, “That could have been my reality as well. But I'm getting to live all these amazing moments representing my country, playing in front of such big crowds and doing the job for the team. As a cricket player, this is all that I dreamt of, and I'm getting it. So I have nothing but gratitude in my heart, and, as I said, I just want to put my head down, keep working hard, put a smile on my face, and hopefully make other people smile too.”
Sharing a crucial message for the youngsters, Kohli said, “Oh, for sure. I mean it's a fact which we don't want to face as athletes, that even if everything ends after this game, you have to play the way you want to play the game. And I think you have to remind yourself that every time you go out to play. That unlocks that positivity, that taking a risk, that unlocks that mindset which helps you to win games for your team.”
He concluded by stating, “That's the only advice I would give to the young guys: don't think a lot about all the other stuff outside of the field. Once you enter the ground, this is everything, and it should be everything for you guys. And just put your body on the line. As I said, put your head down. If you have to run four doubles in an over when you're batting at 150, you have to do it. There are no excuses. So if they play like that, then you should be fine.”
