Virat Kohli is ready and excited for the challenge in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. After 15 years of international cricket, Kohli welcomes the difficulty the tournament poses. India will be hosting the ODI World Cup after 12 years. The 34-year-old remembered how players were under pressure during the mega event as everywhere they went people expected them to win the World Cup. However, Kohli who has 257 million followers on Instagram, is thankful that social media did not exist to the extent it does at present.
"I remember the amount of pressure there was on all the players when we were travelling, Thankfully, there was no social media back then. It would have been a nightmare, honestly. But through the airports, it was always just one thing -- we need to win the Cup," he said at a promotion event in Bengaluru on August 28.
"The senior players were always under the pump and to handle all that pressure. It was just brilliant. And that night (after the WC win) in itself was something magical," he added.
In 2008, Kohli led India to the ICC Under-19 World Cup win. Three years later, he was a part of the MS Dhoni-led India side that brought the World Cup home after 28 years. Having suffered heartbreaks in knockout matches in the last decade, Kohli now understands the magnitude of emotions Sachin Tendulkar went through when India beat Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
"All the more for Sachin Tendulkar, as it was his last World Cup. He had already played many World Cups by then and to win it in Mumbai, his hometown, was very special for him. I mean, it was stuff from dreams," said the top-order batter.
Kohli understands the expectations of fans from him but he expressed that no one wants to get their hands on the trophy more than the players themselves.
"The pressure is always there. The fans always say we want (the team) to win a cup very badly. I'd like to say not more than me. So, I'm in the right place. Honestly, I know the expectations are there and the emotions of the people are there. But please know that no one wants to win more than players," he said.
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