Former captain of the Indian team, Virat Kohli, has reached the milestone of 15,000 runs in the ODI format, joining an elite club alongside Sachin Tendulkar. Following this significant achievement, Kohli made a statement emphasizing that personal records and achievements have never been his primary goal. During the first match of the ODI series against West Indies, held in Tiruvannamalai on Sunday (September 27), he played a century.
After the game, Kohli noted that his focus has always been on performing for the team, rather than on personal records. He added: 'My focus was never on these milestones. I just concentrate on understanding the circumstances and doing my job for the team. Achievements come naturally.'
Against the West Indies, Kohli scored an unbeaten 139 runs off 88 balls, including 10 fours and 9 sixes. Thanks to his performance, India managed to reach a target of 296 runs in 41.4 overs.
Kohli expressed gratitude for his luck, stating that he feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to play for India for such a long time. He said: 'I am very grateful and feel happy that I could play for so long. You just have to bow your head in sign of hard work and thank God for everything that allowed me to achieve this in life.'
Virat Kohli also stressed that the opportunity to play cricket is a big event itself, as many players dream of such a moment. Therefore, he strives to continue working daily. Kohli mentioned that at this stage of his career, it was not easy for him to prepare for a more aggressive style of play.
He explained: 'First of all, you need to understand your game. At the level I am at, it is extremely important to maintain physical fitness because the game largely depends on the mind.' Virat Kohli stated that his priority now is maintaining mental freshness, staying present, and constantly incorporating new methods of aggressive play.
Furthermore, Kohli stated: 'Right now, the challenge for me is to elevate one or two levels higher in my game. Working on this is exciting for me.' He noted that seeking a new approach to the game at this stage of his career inspires him. In his opinion, this can benefit both India and his IPL team.
Virat Kohli added: 'When you need to find a new version of yourself at this stage of your career, it is thrilling. It benefits any team you play for. Open-mindedness has helped me a lot.'
He also called his physical fitness an important part of his current playing style. In his belief, to play with an open mind, one must be physically fit. He explained that being physically prepared enables him to visualize the game on the field better and consequently execute shots.
Moreover, Kohli reminded that it is important for a cricketer to remember where their journey began. He observed that amidst constant popularity, fame, and fan love, players can sometimes forget their beginnings. Reviewing his journey from childhood to playing for India always evokes a sense of gratitude in him.
Virat Kohli stated: 'I enjoy every minute spent on the field for India because I realize that I might not have ended up here or been able to play for India.'
The 37-year-old Kohli noted that now that he is playing only in the ODI format for India, his goals have become very clear. Aiming for the 2027 World Cup, he wants to constantly challenge himself in upcoming matches. In addition to maintaining physical fitness, he intends to focus on running from one end of the field to the other and playing in the inner ring during the last 15 overs, demonstrating all his energy.
Virat Kohli also said that now that he has the opportunity to play for India, he wants to enjoy the pressure, not experience it. Kohli explained: 'I will continue to play positively, but I will not be careless. There is a fine line between a positive and an irresponsible shot. As an experienced player, I will try to understand this and help the team win the match.'
With a score of 139 against the West Indies, Virat Kohli demonstrated how useful his new aggressive approach can be in ODIs. Even after reaching the 15,000-run mark, his focus remains on continuous improvement of the game for the team, rather than on records.
