ICC Champions Trophy | Virat Kohli avoids social media ahead of the final
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Virat Kohli has chosen to stay off social media ahead of India’s Champions Trophy final against Pakistan today. The Indian skipper believes that avoiding distractions caused due to social media is key for a sportsman to perform his best and be able to lead the side in big games.
Although Kohli has 16 million followers on Twitter and is the second most followed cricketer on the microblogging website after Sachin Tendulkar, he considers it to be a distraction. "The biggest thing is to stay off social media," Kohli said, as reported by NDTV.
"If you're too distracted listening to too many suggestions or players or criticism, then you can't focus on what you need to think as a sportsman first to be able to lead the team and then help the others in the team as well. The more relaxed you stay in these situations it's a good thing because it helps you take better decisions when you are composed and calm mentally," the 28-year old added.
India came into the ongoing Champions Trophy as the defending champions and lived up to that reputation by thrashing Pakistan by 124 runs in their first game. And barring the shock loss against Sri Lanka in their second game, India have looked unstoppable in the tournament on their way to the final.
And as always, Kohli has led his side from the front with three unbeaten knocks out of the four innings he has played so far. This kind of form has also seen him return to the top of the ODI rankings for batsmen. However, despite being at the peak of his powers, Kohli said his main aim is to "stay in a good zone".
"You know, connecting to yourselves within, taking a bit more time to do stuff which you don't normally get to do and stay away from everything. To be happy playing second fiddle in a big tournament like this throughout all the games, to be thinking about bouncing back after a setback. And that can only happen when you're able to connect with yourself first," said Kohli.
He concluded by saying that he strives to maintain a balance between his image on and off the pitch. "If you are too distracted listening to too many suggestions or players or criticism, then you cannot focus on what you need to think as a sportsman first to be able to lead the team and then help the others
