'The most valuable 35 I've scored in my cricketing career' - Virat Kohli recalls final night of 2011 World Cup

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli recalled memories from the 2011 World Cup final (2nd April) after 11 years and opined about Sachin Tendulkar’s achievements as well. The right-hander, who is currently part of the ongoing IPL 2022 edition for RCB, did play every game in the 2011 World Cup title-winning campaign, interestingly at the number four position, and scored a century in his very first World Cup game against Bangladesh as well.

On the other hand, Tendulkar opened the innings alongside Virender Sehwag and finished second in the top run-scorers list with 482 runs in nine games at an average of 53.55. In the final, both Sehwag and Tendulkar were dismissed early in a run-chase of 275 and it was the partnership between Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli of 83 runs for the third wicket that got the innings going.

Gambhir was unfortunate to have missed out on a century by three runs, while Dhoni’s unbeaten 91 and Yuvraj’s unbeaten 21* helped India chase down the huge score with six wickets in hand and win the second World Cup title after the 1983 triumph. Having played in six World Cups, it was a dream for all the fans and the players to see Tendulkar holding the prestigious World Cup trophy, and finally, it became true in his last World Cup.

The weight of expectations Sachin had, I can feel that: Virat Kohli

Kohli, who himself has been compared at times with the Little Master, opined that it is very difficult to catch up with Tendulkar’s contributions to Indian cricket and added that he realizes the expectations that would have been on Tendulkar’s shoulders during his prime. Moreover, he also picked his 35 in the 2011 World Cup final as one of his most valuable knocks and was delighted to be part of the win for India.

“The achievements of Sachin Tendulkar are so great, everyone has tried to contribute to Indian cricket as much as he did but it’s way too far – the weight of expectations he had, I can feel that,” Kohli said as quoted in the RCB Website.

“35 in the 2011 World Cup final was the most valuable 35 I’ve scored in my cricketing career. I was happy to bring the team back on track and contribute in whatever way I could. The crowd atmosphere was surreal, it’s very fresh in our memories,” he added.