Adelaide: Virat Kohli is delighted with his performance after playing the anchor role in India’s victory in the World Cup opener against Pakistan in Adelaide on Sunday.
When asked about his ton, especially since it came when he was under pressure to perform, Kohli said: “I just looked to stand up to them because I hate to lose and so played passionately.”
Kohli admitted that it was tough for him during the last two days due to the weight of expectations.
“Too many people in the hotel were getting worked up over this match. I decided to stay in my own little space. My role in the team is to bat through, and the power-hitters can play around knowing that one end is secure. The way Shikhar [Dhawan] and Suresh Raina batted today is commendable. The support has been magnificent. We expect the same throughout the tournament from them.”
The in-form Delhi batsman became the first Indian to score a century against Pakistan in the World Cup, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s highest of 98 in the in 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
Kohli also admitted that it wasn’t easy to bat initially. “The wicket was two-paced and the way Suresh Raina batted was magnificent. I am happy we got to 300 because it gave us a psychological advantage.”
Kohli also provided an in-sight into his lack of runs in the Tri-series, involving Australia and England, and the warm-up matches in the build up to the showpiece.
“In the tri-series and warm-ups, I was trying to hit too much. Today, I wanted to give myself more time and play the anchor’s role. This knock is really special for me.”
Kohli also equalled Sourav Ganguly’s mark of 22 centuries in One Day Internationals. The former Indian skipper, who was present at the stadium as a commentator, said: “Come the day, he delivers. What an incredible talent this boy is. He gets better day by day. The ability to score when the team is down speaks about his ability to take responsibility.”.
Kohli, who sits behind Sachin Tendulkar (49 centuries from 452 innings), Ricky Ponting (30 from 365) and Sanath Jayasuriya (28 from 433) in ODIs, also continued his love affair with Australia and the Adelaide Oval.
The 26-year-old has now scored seven centuries in 21 one-day and Test matches on Australian soil and four in five matches in both formats at the historic ground beside the River Torrens.
Two of those came last December in the first Test against Australia and it was also at the Adelaide Oval that he secured his maiden test century in the 2011-12 tour.
“I want to wrap up this ground and take it home,” Kohli said in a pitchside interview. “This has been a really special ground for me.”
Since the last test series ended, though, he had raised eyebrows by going through four one-day matches and two warm-ups in Australia without getting anywhere close to a century, only once getting into double figures.
His first World Cup century came against Bangladesh in the opening match of the triumphant 2011 campaign on home soil but his second was a more significant knock.
With inputs from agencies
