Batting maestro Virat Kohli, after etching another monumental record in cricket history, opened up about his profound gratitude for a career he describes as a dream realized. The iconic Indian cricketer achieved the milestone of becoming the fastest player to score 28,000 international runs during the first ODI against New Zealand in New Delhi.
A Landmark Achievement and Heartfelt Reflection
Virat Kohli reached the elite landmark in just his 624th innings, outpacing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who took 644 innings to get there. The only other batter in this exclusive club is Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, who achieved the feat in 666 innings. Kohli, now 37, brought up the record with a boundary off New Zealand leg-spinner Adithya Ashok.
Reflecting on his incredible journey, an emotional Kohli stated, "Honestly, if I look back at my whole journey, it's nothing short of a dream come true." He expressed deep gratitude, adding, "God has blessed me with way too much for me to complain about anything. So I feel nothing but gratitude. I always look back with a lot of grace and a lot of gratitude in my heart."
Mindset Over Milestones: Kohli's Winning Philosophy
Despite the personal accolade, Kohli emphasized that his focus remains squarely on the team's needs. His match-winning innings of 93 runs off 91 balls was crafted with the chase in mind. "If I'm being brutally honest the way I'm playing right now, I'm not thinking about the milestones at all," he revealed.
He explained his recent aggressive approach at the number three position. "The basic idea is... I backed myself to counter-attack now rather than just trying to play the situation in," Kohli said. He believes in putting the opposition on the back foot early, a tactic he successfully employed after Rohit Sharma's dismissal, which he felt became the difference in the game.
Fan Adulation, Personal Touches, and Captain's Praise
The star batter, who was named Player of the Match for the 45th time in his career, continues to receive overwhelming support from fans. However, he admitted feeling uncomfortable with the huge cheer that erupts when an opposing wicket falls before he walks in. "I honestly don't feel good about it... I do feel bad about it," he confessed, while also understanding the crowd's excitement.
In a personal revelation, Kohli shared that he sends all his awards and trophies to his mother in Gurgaon. "She's proud of them. Yeah, she likes keeping all the trophies," he said with a smile.
India's captain for the match, Shubman Gill, heaped praise on Kohli's current form and consistency. "It's tough to start on these pitches. Tough to replicate what he does. Hope he keeps piling on runs," Gill remarked, acknowledging the veteran's invaluable contribution to the team's success.
For Kohli, the ultimate joy lies in the connection with fans. "You can give so much happiness to so many people by just doing what you love to do... What more can I ask for? I'm literally living my dream and making people happy," he concluded, embodying the spirit of an athlete who cherishes every moment of his illustrious career.
