Virat Kohli talks about his international journey at the eve of the 3rd ODI

Indian captain Virat Kohli amidst all the controversies and the speculations is completing almost a decade in international cricket. He made his debut in 2008, and in only these many years, went on to become one of the best cricketers in the world. His debut was against Sri Lanka in an ODI at Dambulla but didn’t have a dream start as he was dismissed on 12 off 33.

In his long cricketing journey, full of ups and downs, the 28-year-old thinks that what has helped him the most was staying true to himself throughout. When asked how he evolved as a better batsman in his career, Kohli said that he just let things go with the flow and never looked too ahead in the future, and never tried to become someone he wasn’t.

“I don’t think I have worked on anything specifically, I have just let things pan out the way they have to. I have never forced myself to be someone that I’m not. It’s a natural process, you evolve over a period of time. I have never made an effort to be someone that I’m not.” he told reporters speaking ahead of the third ODI at Antigua.

Kohli over the years has transformed his innings, perhaps he isn’t as aggressive as he was with the bat, especially when the openers give him a good start so he doesn’t have to hurry in the middle. When asked if he was enjoying his role as a batter, he said that adapting to different situations is something he had learnt over the years.

“As a batsman, you have to adapt to different situations. You won’t always have the time or the number of overs to build your innings and get a big hundred. Sometimes you will be on 30 off 30 balls and you still have to go after the bowling… That is something I have learnt over the years. Something that I have kept working on,” Virat said.

He also added that initially in his career he always preferred batting at No. 3, but it’s not the same anymore as he bats as per the requirement of the innings and doesn’t just stick to No. 3.

“Now it’s about what situation lies ahead of me and the team… For me, it’s not only about batting one-down any more… I used to prefer that initially in my career… It gave a different kick. But now it’s more about understanding the situation and reacting according to it, doing what the team needs me to do,” he explained.

Media attention is distracting

When asked how he deals with the media attention, Kohli explained that being in the spotlight feels new only in the initial stage of the career, after which it feels very common. He says that media attention is not something that he asks for.

“Yes, it’s a distraction early on in your career… It’s something that feels new… But after a while these things don’t affect you anymore. You know you have to be there, you know that those things will also be there… So you need to just focus on what your game, execute your plans, rather than thinking if there’s too much attention on you. It’s something that is not in my control, something that I didn’t ask for… It’s something that is happening and that will happen,” Virat said.

Hoping for a full game

After rain played spoilsport in many games of the Champions Trophy 2017, the story has repeated on the West Indies tour. The first match was called off, the second was rain curtailed and before the third one, India’s practice session was affected by rain. When asked if this has frustrated the team, Kohli said the forecast for the 3rd ODI is good so hopefully they will have a full 50 overs game.

“It’s been a bit on and off… The first game was interrupted by the rain, the second match too was almost ruined before we got fortunate and had some play. But tomorrow looks pretty good weather-wise, so we should be able to have a complete game.

“We have had enough practice in the lead-up to this game. So we are not too bothered that our training sessions have been interrupted… It’s just an opportunity have a day off, which we can enjoy together as a team,” the Indian skipper stated.

Team India has had a hectic travel schedule. After India’s long home season began the IPL, which was soon followed by the Champions Trophy and West Indies tour. Kohli said that this tour gave them some time to relax.

“We went to the beach, as a team… You can walk around, it’s pretty peaceful here… So it’s quite relaxing to be close to nature. We enjoy coming here as cricketers. It’s important to grab these opportunities and stick together. Training together in the gym, having a chat or two at breakfast, finding things to do together through the day… All that really helps to bond as a team,” he concluded.