The exhilaration of being India’s hero in the crunch World Twenty20 clash against Pakistan aside, batting star Virat Kohli said he felt emotionally overwhelmed to have done it in front of the iconic Sachin Tendulkar.
Kohli’s unbeaten 37-ball 55 helped India overahul a target of 119 in 18 overs last night to continue their winning run against Pakistan in ICC events.
The swashbuckling right-hander said to have played the knock with Tendulkar in attendance added to his happiness.
“I can’t express the feeling…Sachin Tendulkar was up there in the stands. I have seen Sachin paaji do that for India for years together and seen how people shout for him. I have gotten a chance to do it in front of him and he was celebrating,” Kohli told ‘bcci.Tv’.
“I cannot explain that feeling as a youngster who has grown up playing cricket because of him. To be able to do it in front of him and give him happiness. I am very grateful for it and it was a very emotional moment,” he said.
India lost the tournament-opener to New Zealand in Nagpur and Kohli said it is imperative for the team to win the remaining two matches against Australia and Bangladesh.
“I think this is a perfect catalyst for us going forward into this tournament. You have to stay positive, no matter what. That is the name of the game in international cricket. There is nothing you can do about a bad loss, but what you have to do is learn from it, and come out positive,” he said.
“When you are sitting in that room, you want to be the guy that makes the difference in the game and win the game for the team single-handedly. If all eleven guys can think like that, then the team is in a good space,” he added.
PTI