I don’t practice shots to become technically good; I do it so that the team can win matches: Virat Kohli

In an exclusive conversation with Star Sports, Virat Kohli revisited the unforgettable moments that defined his match against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup, shedding light on the special nostalgia associated with reliving those instances.

The Indian cricketer shared the perspective of witnessing his own iconic shot which was termed as the ‘Shot of the Century’ by ICC and emphasizes the profound impact of such captured moments. He delves into the essence of improvement in cricket, detailing how his focus goes beyond technical prowess to strategic enhancements aimed at contributing to team victories.

Kohli's insightful remarks provide a glimpse into his mindset as a cricketer and the gratitude he feels for being part of moments that echo the purity and intensity of the sport's magic. Star Sports will be airing the second installment of ‘Believe: The Diwali Miracle’ ft. Virat Kohli to viewers and fans in India immediately after the Live broadcast of the India-Netherlands game.

Kohli recalled his famous shot which broke the internet in his match against Pakistan and was termed as the ‘Shot of the Century’ by ICC at the T20 World Cup, he said “I have seen this a lot of times, but these small things in the middle, these are very special because obviously, you have lived these moments but you haven’t seen it again. Just those little moments are something that I'm very, you know, I feel very nostalgic about, and in a good way. You know what you did, and that moment got captured in some way and someone has seen it.”

Kohli also credited higher powers at play when he hit the ‘Shot of the Century’, he said “You realize this in a moment. If anyone comes up to me and says, when I was 10, that at 35, I will be here, if anyone claims that they knew what was going to happen in written and sign it, I would have given them everything. If they knew what my 25-year journey would be, that it happened to have reached here, that is a larger package, it is a compressed version. I didn’t know what was going to happen and how it happened. It just happened; I can’t sit here and claim it. That is a larger package and that is injustice to what I felt that night, I can never forget it in my life. Never. And that is the reason people who saw it felt the same thing. It wasn’t like someone said it or claimed it; the moment had purity, and everyone felt it.

Also Check: List of Virat Kohli international & IPL centuries

Kohli also spoke on how he has challenged himself as a cricketer to always improve on his game and how he feels that it is this mentality which has allowed him to excel in his career.

“I think you can call it that for sure. There is one thing that is practice on technique and on skill. There is one where you think about techniques that you can use to win the match or if I can play like this, this is an improvement for sure. A lot of people don't know this about improvement of batting. Improvement happens when you think what can I add to my game to win the match.

"You don’t do it to become a complete batsman. This very few people know that to technically look good you don’t practice; it is so that I can learn a new shot and I can score runs for the team and win the match. I can cover all the spaces and score runs, and that should be the motivation. Think that's a nice way to put it; no one has given me perspective about this thing, but it feels like that it is certainly a gift.

"It is not something that I will ever claim; I can only feel grateful. I mean, how can you not feel grateful? You're a part of a moment which you felt was so pure and so intense at the same time, and you were chosen to be there in the execution of that moment. If I have seen such a moment, I will remember Sachin sir's sixes in Sharjah in the World Cup. And I’m in that moment, so I remember when this happened as well; everything comes to your mind.”