In a video released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Virat Kohli discussed his partnership with KL Rahul, which played a pivotal role in India’s triumphant opening match against the mighty Australians.However, the conversation soon shifted to the emotional weight of performing at a stadium where he had nurtured his cricketing journey.
“For me, that is the stadium where I grew up playing age-group, Ranji cricket. I also played for India there. Those memories stay fresh in your mind. You can feel it because that is where everything started, selectors saw you for the first time and gave you an opportunity. It is special to go back and play at Arun Jaitley Stadium,” Virat Kohli reflected, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
The discussion took an interesting turn as Kohli acknowledged the awkwardness of playing in front of a pavilion named after him. He confessed, “It is awkward for me to be playing in front of a pavilion named after me. I do not like to talk about it a lot. But it is a great honour and I feel happy and grateful about it, it is something I never felt would happen to me.”
Reflecting on their remarkable 165-run partnership against Australia, which helped India chase down a daunting target of 200 runs, Virat Kohli revealed that this partnership held a special place in his heart. “A highlight of our partnership was how content we were to knock the ball around and not necessarily look at our runs and balls, just fighting through the physical challenges of what we had experienced,” he said.
His partner in that incredible stand, KL Rahul, shared his own perspective on the partnership, saying, “I planned to play the first ten overs like Test cricket. We have been in situations where the ball does something. So I told myself to be a bit conservative and kill Australia’s momentum. You were content with knocking it around, but also showed intent and punished them when they got off the radar.”
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Despite the initial challenges, both batsmen emphasised their ability to adapt and the importance of teamwork. Kohli also expressed his hopes for the future, stating, “The team feels great after a win like this. Hopefully, we can build on this and go a long way in this tournament.”
Virat Kohli’s unique position of playing in a stadium bearing his name adds an extra layer of complexity to his already remarkable cricketing journey. As Team India gears up for more thrilling World Cup encounters, cricket fans around the world will be watching Kohli and his team with great anticipation, eager to see how far they can go in the tournament.
(With inputs from ANI)
