ICC World Cup 2019 | Team which handles pressure will come out on top, believes Virat Kohli
Speaking to the press ahead of the semi-final clash, Indian skipper Virat Kohli has asserted that the team that handles pressure better will come out on top in tomorrow's encounter. Kohli also spoke about the 'team first' attitude sported by everyone, branding personal milestones as an added bonus.
11 years after facing each other in the Under-19 World Cup semi-final, Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson will square up against each other in the grandest stage the sport has to offer, when India take on New Zealand on Tuesday. India head into the clash with seven wins from eight matches subsequently topping the table, while New Zealand scrapped their way through, thanks to their superior NRR.
The Indian skipper was in high spirits speaking to the press ahead of the much-awaited clash. When questioned about him facing off against Williamson 11 years after their Under-19 heroics, Kohli spoke about cherishing those memories while adding that he was proud to captain his country, stating that neither him, nor Williamson would have expected such a thing to ever happen.
"When we meet tomorrow I'll remind him. It's nice to realise that 11 years after, we're captaining our respective nations again in a senior World Cup. A lot of players from that World Cup from our batch, from their batch, from other teams as well, made it to their national teams & are still playing. I think it is a really nice memory. Neither me, nor him could have ever anticipated that one day this will happen," said Kohli, speaking to the press.
This is also the fourth consecutive time that the Kiwis have reached the semi-final of the World Cup, and Kane Williamson's men would be looking to reach their second consecutive final, when they take on the Men in Blue on Tuesday. Wary of the threat possessed by the Black Caps, Kohli acknowledged their strength, pointing towards their experience and their ability to win knockout matches. He also insisted that the team that handles pressure better will be the eventual winner in the encounter tomorrow.
"Decision making will be crucial. Both teams are experienced enough to have played these games. New Zealand was in the finals last time and they know how to play knock out games. They have had a wonderful World Cup again so they are a quality side," he said.
"Whichever team is more brave in being calculative, that team stands a better chance to win so we understand that combination, we've made it to a lot of knockout games and finals and it's up to both to bring their A game. Whoever handles pressure better will come out on top," he added.
While Kohli has five fifties and no centuries to his name this World Cup, Rohit Sharma has broken new grounds by becoming the first batsman to score five centuries in a World Cup. When quizzed about it, Kohli was quick to play down the importance of personal milestones and said that everyone who represents the country will always stick to the "team first" mantra.
“Personal milestones is honestly something no one ever focusses on. Rohit said the same thing the other day, he’s only trying to do the best for the team and in that process, special things happen, which is something I’ve always believed in my career so far," Kohli said.
“I could never imagine I could get the number of hundreds I have. The only focus has always been the team. I think playing a team sport, you need to be able to adapt, and I’m very happy doing that role," the Indian skipper added.
Speaking about Rohit Sharma, Kohli was full of praise for the opener, hailing him as "The top ODI player in the world". “Hope he gets two more (hundreds) so that we can win two more games because it's an outstanding achievement. Never seen anyone get five hundreds in a World Cup or be any tournament." Kohli said about Rohit Sharma.
"World Cup is all the more pressure, he’s been outstanding and he deserves all the credit. According to me, at the moment, he is the top ODI player in the world,” he concluded.
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— BCCI (@BCCI) July 8, 2019
2 captains captaining their sides - Who would have thought? @imVkohli asks 😁👌 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/FGX8s1OOnH
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