Bengaluru, Feb 14: A No. 2 spot in the ICC ODI rankings sums up Virat Kohli’s fluent run this season. Averaging a little over 46 odd runs in his 42 innings in ODIs, he has come to occupy a vital spot in the Indian middle-order.
The Delhi batsman, who led the India Under-19 team to World Cup victory in Malaysia in 2008, is a changed man. Speaking to the media ahead of the CWC, he discussed his experiences in international cricket and the changes that he has worked hard to effect in his batting. He also revealed that facing the world’s best pacers from teams like Australia and South Africa has helped his game.
Excerpts from the media interaction
On the preparations for the ICC World Cup 2011
Actually we were playing in South Africa so there wasn’t much time. I was just practicing and preparing myself. When I came out to bat I felt more relaxed. Being in and around the teammates really calmed me down. We don’t commit any unnecessary mistakes. I am just trying to be more relaxed.
On the changes in his game
I think I have learnt from my mistakes and that has been my main goal. I was also given more responsibility of batting up the order and I had a good chance of playing longer innings if I applied [myself] more. These are the few changes I have tried to make in my game. I was really happy the way I controlled myself when I felt like playing a rash shot and actually didn’t.
On the rash shots that he has regretted playing in the past
I played a few rash shots in some of the important matches earlier. One was against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy (2009). I was set and the situation demanded me to keep going but I played a rash shot. The other was against Australia in Baroda. I was batting on 30 and again I played a rash shot - I got out and the team was in trouble. These were the really big mistakes on my part because these were really important matches in the context of the series and tournament. That’s why I decided not to commit those mistakes and carry on.
The people in the team, all the seniors, told me I should have played a better shot in the situation and told me I would learn with time and that helped me to some extent. But it was up to me to correct those mistakes.
On whether the Under -19 World Cup experience is likely to help in the CWC
I think it is a different feeling altogether and it is the biggest stage of them all. Playing the U-19 World Cup was really big at that point of time. But now I don’t think the experience will be of big help this time. It is the matches that I have played with the team in the last one and a half years and the kind of situations that I have played in [that] have really helped and [it] has been a learning process. Going into this World Cup I am really confident because [of] the way I have played in those matches.
On the pressure of playing in India
Playing any tournament in India we have a bit of pressure, but I won’t like to say that I have too much pressure. I would like take this as an opportunity as most [cricketers] dream of playing in [the] World Cup. Now I have got this opportunity so I am focusing on my game. When you go into [the] field there is no point in thinking what people are expecting. I would just like to concentrate on my batting and do what I have done in the past one year and not try something different and not get nervous.
On the goals he had set himself for the South Africa tour
As a batsman I wanted to do well in South Africa. I did not have any particular goal. And I also wanted to do well because going into the World Cup we had to be confident as a unit also. I was just looking to enjoy my game and learn as much as possible and score a few runs because this was my first SA tour. Overall, [it was] a good experience against world class bowlers. Doing well against them has given me a lot of confidence and [I’d] just like to carry it into the World Cup [without] feeling overconfident.
On the lessons learnt from the series against South Africa
I learned a lot [about] how to be mentally tough especially while facing [the] best bowlers in the world. It’s all about looking in the face of the opposition [and] not getting bogged down by them. They might be the best bowlers in the world but if you are confident of your ability, you can succeed. So it’s about believing in your ability and having trust and confidence in what you are going to do out there. So that really gives a different message to the opponent that you are there to compete and perform and they have to earn the wicket.
On scoring centuries while chasing
I think not only me, all cricketers concentrate a lot more under pressure. One is a lot more careful in pressure [situations] and every batsman would agree with that. You feel a lot more focused and concentrate a lot more. While chasing you have a set target and [you] plan your innings. Like [you decide] when to accelerate and when to have a period when you are happy with singles and doubles and [the] odd boundary. So I think it works for me personally and with two batsmen building a partnership, you know where the game is going. We have trust and faith in all the batsmen we have. Even if we have 80-90 runs required in the last ten overs we know that we can pull it off with the Powerplay.
On the 2007 World Cup
It was not good to see players disappointed but we have learnt a lot [like] not to take any team lightly. It was a disappointing World Cup and getting on to the field and playing more matches was the way to get out of it.
On his fielding
I would just look to enjoy on the field. Even in the practice sessions we practice together and when Gary [Kirsten] hits those balls to point and the covers we try and enjoy every session and we try and bring out the best while enjoying. I think fielding is all about enjoying and if you take more pressure you tend to make mistakes. The kind of places we field in, it’s all about anticipation and if you are too nervous you will not be able to anticipate. So it’s all about being relaxed and wanting the ball to come to you. You take a brilliant catch or [effect a] run out without even planning it. So the more relaxed you are the better you can think at that point of time.
