Virat Kohli opened up about his struggles with form in an interview with Star Sports. It was in November 2019 that he last scored a century. Fans have been waiting for his heroics with the bat for over 2 years now. However, his good performance in patches in the ongoing IPL season is keeping their hopes alive. In the interview, Virat also opened up about what is keeping him motivated to play the sport, despite a bad run. Virat has never shied away from talking about his struggle. And has been trying to look as positive as a team player as he could. In addition, Virat Kohli also threw light on his plans to win the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup 2022 for the country.
‘I want to win India the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup’ – Virat Kohli
“Ravi Bhai has seen from close quarters the reality of situation that I’ve been in”
Virat acknowledged Ravi Shastri’s advice for him to take some time off cricket. He also said Virat is looking ‘overcooked’. However, some other cricketers including Sunil Gavaskar have talked about the return of form only when he is playing the game, understanding where things are going wrong.
“It’s not a lot of people who mentioned it (taking a break). There is one person precisely who has mentioned it which is Ravi Bhai and that’s because he has seen from close quarters over the last six seven years the reality of the situation that I have been in. The amount of cricket that I have played and the ups and downs and the toll that it takes on you to play three formats of the game plus the IPL for 10-11 years non-stop with the seven years of captaincy in between…”
“It is definitely a thing that one needs to consider because you don’t want to do something which you are not a part of 100% and I have always believed in that in my life. So to take a break and when to take a break is obviously something that I need to take a call on, but it is only a healthy decision for anyone to take some time off and just rejuvenate yourself mentally and physically.”
“I’ll discuss with Rahul Bhai, and team management”
Moreover, Virat is open to the idea of taking a break is somewhere essential for mental rejuvenation. He mentions having discussions about it with coach Dravid and the team management. Because he wants to act in a way that is going to serve the national team better.
“It’s a very healthy thing to think of especially with the amount of cricket that we play nowadays and the amount of cricket that I have played in the last 10-11 years as I mentioned. It’s only a thing of creating a balance and finding that balance which is right for you as an individual moving forward and I’ll definitely discuss this with all the people involved – Rahul Bhai, the Indian team management, everyone to chart out whatever is best for myself and for the team definitely.”
“When I come out of this phase I know how consistent I can be”
The kind of lean patch Virat has been facing, anybody could’ve been irritated. However, it is quite evident from the way he’s carrying himself on the field that this isn’t affecting the team player Virat is. Celebrating other batters’ success to enjoying himself on the field. Virat hasn’t changed even the tiniest bit.
“This phase for me is the easier phase to process but I don’t want to put this behind me. I want to learn from it and understand that what are the core values that I have as a sports person and as a human being. As long as I’m ticking those boxes… I know these are ups and downs and when I come out of this phase I know how consistent I can be. I know how motivated I will be once the scores start coming to make sure it’s one after the another. Also, I know that I have that drive in me to go back to back to back, which motivates me more as I mentioned in contributing towards my team’s cause and making my team win. So these things drive me and propel me way more than the setbacks that I have.”
“And I am happy with who I am and how I am leading my life. If I start valuing myself with my [on-field] achievements then these achievements are not going to be possible after a stage where I stop playing the game anyways, so where will I get that validation from?
“So I have started to value myself way more as a person and I’m not finding any source of encouragement or disappointment by what happens on the field. In the heat of the moment, in that moment, because you are a competitive sportsman and it is your profession, it is something that you prepare very well for, you feel disappointed when you are not able to contribute to the team’s cause as much as much as you want to.[But] this is not about myself. This is about the fact that I have not contributed to my team’s cause as much as I would have wanted to, or I pride myself on.”
“Want to win India the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup”
What is bringing Virat positivity is the passion he carries within himself to win Trophies for India. He has been training with the same intensity, keeping his mind open, and taking time to focus on his game by giving up the captaincy duties. in addition, he mentioned his goal to perform well in the upcoming Men’s T20 WC 2022 and the Asia Cup 2022. He wants to contribute to the team and help the team to a title.
“I want to win India the Asia Cup and the [T20] World Cup; that’s the motivation. I have to move forward maintaining a balance, get some rest, some rejuvenation, once I’m in the mindset then there’s no looking back, and [it’s] great fun. My main aim is to help India win.”
