‘I promised myself to play positively’: Virat Kohli on 15,000 runs milestone

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli hit another major ODI milestone on Sunday, but the star made it clear that records and numbers were never his main focus.Kohli became only the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to complete 15,000 ODI runs. He also hit his record 55th ODI century as India defeated West Indies by eight wickets in the first ODI.

Kohli wants to keep pushing

Kohli said his priority has always been to understand the situation and do what the team needs.“I’ve never really focused on these milestones so to speak. It’s just understanding the situation while I’m doing the job for the team, (the) successes are coming,” Kohli told a television station after the match.Kohli smashed nine sixes and 10 fours to remain unbeaten on 139 off 88 balls. India scored 300 for two in 41.4 overs while chasing West Indies’ 295 for seven.“Obviously I feel very grateful and very blessed to be in this position to have played for so long. Just keep my head down, work hard and thank God for everything I’ve been blessed with and the opportunities I’ve been given in life to be where I am,” Kohli said.“We have a very blessed life and a happy journey because so many people want to be here, but we become the lucky ones, so we better put our heads down and work hard every day of our lives,” he added.

A new challenge in this stage

Kohli said being more aggressive with the bat and playing at a higher pace has been a challenge for him at this stage of his career.“…firstly just understanding your game. Also at the stage I’m at I’m just keeping myself very fit physically because the game is more or less in the mind. I’ve never been a guy who exercises a lot even though I’ve played all three formats as you know,” he said when asked by former India coach Ravi Shastri.“For me, it’s about staying mentally fresh, staying in the moment and just really putting myself out there to play a certain way, getting used to that template more often.”“At this point in my career, I’ve been challenged to up the ante a bit and play a notch or two higher, and yes, it’s been exciting to work with.”He continued: “It gets you excited again when you have to unlock a new version at this stage of your career that ultimately helps whatever team you play for, whether you’re playing for India or in the IPL. It’s really helped me a lot to play with a free mind and I think that’s what works for me.”

Fitness helps him play with a free mind

Kohli also talked about the role of fitness in his batting and how it helps him visualize his game.“I think to follow a free mind, you need a fit body, so it works the other way around for me. I stay physically fit and then I’m able to visualize the game the way I want to play, which gives me the best chance to go out and execute it the way I did tonight,” he said.He also stressed the importance of remembering the journey that brought him to this stage.“I think the only thing we have to do is look back and see where we’ve come from. That’s something we tend to forget when we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the world and the positions we get into with so much attention and fame and so much love from the fans,” he said.“It can be very easy to forget where you came from. But just looking back on the journey from when you started as a kid makes you feel grateful.”Kohli added: “I’m enjoying every minute that I’m out there playing for India because I understand that, like I said, I could have been an option if I wasn’t standing here. I wouldn’t be playing for India at all.”

The goal of the World Cup is clear

The 37-year-old said that playing just one format for India has also given him clarity on what he wants to achieve.“We’re a year away from the World Cup. I know what my goal is and I’m pretty clear that whatever games we play, I just have to keep working on different aspects of the game, keep myself fit, challenge myself to be there.”“…run boundary to boundary in the last 15 overs, if I can, field in the inner circle, show the intensity. If I tick all those boxes, I still have some time left to play in this format as well.”“So when I get an opportunity, I feel happy rather than feeling anxious or pressured to make the most of it. I just want to express myself and play my game. Like I said, I promised myself to play positively because I can.”“I will continue to play but not be reckless. There is a fine line that as a professional, as an experienced player, I should have the ability to perform in this way without playing reckless shots and getting the team,” he added.