Virat Kohli, the former captain discussed the extent of the difference he perceives between the next ODI World Cup in 2023 and the last tournament in India in 2011.
In his first World Cup appearances, Kohli led the Under-19 team to victory in 2008 and participated in the Indian team that won the championship at home in 2011. In the championship match against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, the then-23-year-old batted a crucial innings of 35 with the side struggling early on. India had successfully chased down 275 runs.
Appearing at a promotional event, Kohli said that although the 2011 World Cup was his career high point, he did not fully appreciate its significance at the time. He said, “My career highlight ïs obviously winning the World Cup in 2011. I was 23 at the time, and I probably didn’t understand the magnitude of it. But now at 34, and having played many World Cups, which we haven’t been able to win, So,I understand the emotions of all the senior players (in 2011).”
“Thankfully, there was no social media back then” : Virat Kohli
The batting icon believed Sachin Tendulkar, who participated in five previous ODI World Cups, was experiencing winning emotions that were amplified much more.
He said, “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.”
Virat Kohli went into further detail on the pressure the Indian team was under leading up to and throughout the 2011 World Cup at home. Since Kapil Dev’s team notably won the 50-over World Cup in 1983, the Men in Blue have not won one.MS Dhoni’s team had a difficult journey to the knockout rounds after succumbing to South Africa as well as playing out a close tie game with England in the league stage.
The former Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper said that, “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.”
Fans react to Virat Kohli’s statement on social media’s absence during 2011 World Cup:
Virat Kohli said, "I remember the amount of pressure there was on all the players during the 2011 World Cup. Thankfully there was no social media back then. It would have been a nightmare, honestly". pic.twitter.com/iYDDpkJONN
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 28, 2023
There was pressure during 2003 and 2007 as well. Common @imVkohli before World Cup itself, the victim card is being played?
— Sagar Khandelwal (@Khandelw13Sagar) August 28, 2023
Imagine the reaction after this shot if there was a social media ?? pic.twitter.com/LWx3MOaIzc
— MAHIYANK™ (@Mahiyank_78) August 28, 2023
Everything has a positive and negative,.. social media gave him extra earning (huge earning)+ fan base and then there is negative as how you used it ????
— Indian Elon (@elonifiedmusk) August 28, 2023
Still remember Sehwag and King Kohli century against Bangladesh in wc2011
— ????? (@ehsann__) August 28, 2023
It's time gill carry him on his shoulders
— Amit Sharma (@AmitSharmaoffic) August 28, 2023
kohli is going to be player of the tournament
— yang goi (@GongR1ght) August 28, 2023
Tha to us time bhi, apka influence kam tha us time?
— Abhinav Singh (@ProteinEnforcer) August 28, 2023
— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) August 28, 2023
The world cup 2011 experience made him mentally strong batsmen and handled the pressure in every situation of the matches.
— Mr.Naruto (@MrNarutoHokage) August 28, 2023
