Indian stalwart Batter Virat is set to embark on his fourth World Cup journey, and this time, it’s on home turf. As India gears up to kickstart their campaign on October 8 against Australia, all eyes are on Kohli and the transformation he has undergone as a cricketer.
Before delving into Kohli’s evolution, let’s touch upon India’s recent triumph. The team secured a 2-1 victory in the ODI series against Australia. Interestingly, Kohli, along with Rohit Sharma, was rested for the first two games but made a powerful comeback in the final ODI.
In a candid conversation with ICC ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Kohli opened up about his journey as a cricketer and his past World Cup experiences. He shed light on the significant changes he has undergone, particularly his remarkable comeback from a challenging century-less phase.
Kohli reflected on his earlier years when fiery and angry celebrations were a hallmark of his game. However, those days are now firmly in the past. He revealed that he had received countless suggestions and advice from various quarters, each pointing out what he was doing wrong.
“Those angry celebrations are a thing of the past. I have had many suggestions, lots of advice has come my way; people were telling me I was doing this wrong, that wrong,” Kohli told ICC ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
But Kohli didn’t just accept the criticism; he used it as fuel for his transformation. He meticulously analyzed videos from his peak performances, studying his initial movements and approach toward the ball. It wasn’t a technical flaw but a mental block that had held him back.
“I picked out all the videos from the best time I had, same initial movement, same approach towards the ball, and it was just what was happening inside my head; I wasn’t able to explain it to anyone,” Kohli further said.
The turning point came when Kohli scored his 71st international century against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2022. This milestone marked the end of his century drought and ignited his resurgence. Since then, Kohli has been the fifth-highest run-getter in international cricket, accumulating an impressive 1769 runs from 41 innings
The journey to the 2023 ODI World Cup has been a rollercoaster ride filled with peaks and valleys. His story is not just one of talent but also resilience and the unwavering spirit of a champion.
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Kohli stands as one of the only two players who were part of IIndia’s World Cup-winning squad, a memorable moment in Indian cricket history. His experience, leadership, and batting prowess make him an invaluable asset to the team.
As India sets its sights on the ICC World Cup 2023, it’s essential to recognize the scale of the tournament. Ten formidable teams, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, and the Netherlands, will compete for glory.
The ICC World Cup 2023 will adopt a round-robin format, ensuring that each team faces every other team during the league stage. With a total of 48 matches scheduled among the 10 teams, the tournament promises intense cricketing action.
Matches will be hosted in ten venues across India, showcasing the rich and diverse cricketing culture of the nation. The tournament will commence on October 5 and culminate in the showdown on November 19.
