‘Hopefully I can build on from this knock’- Virat Kohli opines on keeping consistency ahead of 2023 ODI World Cup

It was Virat Kohli’s thunderous 113-run knock that steered team India to post a massive total of 373 runs against Sri Lanka in their stipulated 50 overs. Following the 67-run win over the Islanders in the first ODI, Kohli opined that he would like to ‘build on’ from the majestic knock as the ODI World Cup is on the horizon.

In an interview with the number one batter of the T20Is- Suryakumar Yadav for bcci.tv, Kohli reflected on his latest feat and shared that it was the ‘mental freshness’ that has helped him score big.

“Firstly, congratulations on the 100. You ended 2022 with a century, began 2023 with a 100, please take us through,” started Suryakumar Yadav.

“Firstly, I want to wish you a Happy New Year and congratulate you on the amazing things you have been doing. I did not start like this the last two years, I got a century this year, so hopefully, I can build on this because it is also the World Cup year!” responded Kohli. 

“We also have the big Test series against Australia so scoring runs in any match gives you massive confidence. I was happy to bat through the innings and get the team 25-30 extra runs with the due coming in. Sometimes, the mindset goes up and down but keeping the mental freshness is helping me,” he added.

Virat Kohli’s golden words on keeping up with massive expectations

Virat Kohli further added that ‘acceptance’ has helped him to keep up with the high expectations from the fans and himself. He admitted that he had started to get frustrated when things were not going well for him over the last couple of years.

“It is a very intense process to keep up with expectations. When your cricket is going fine, all things flow well but when the form takes a dip, in my case, frustration started creeping in. It was because I wanted to play like my fans wanted me to. But later I realized that I cannot be away from who I am and have to be true to myself. Even if I’m vulnerable or the worst player around, I cannot be in denial and have to accept it,” shared Kohli.

India will be on the lookout to clinch the series against the Lankan Lions in the forthcoming ODI contest at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.