Virat Kohli reveals the one iconic cricket second he needs he might have been a part of

Virat Kohli has by no means shied away from expressing his admiration for a few of cricket’s best moments, and the previous India captain lately mirrored on one such event that continues to carry a particular place in his reminiscence. Extensively thought to be one of many best batters of the trendy period, Kohli revealed that there’s one iconic cricketing second he needs he might have skilled firsthand as a participant.

The 37-year-old, who’s presently recovering from a hamstring damage sustained in the course of the IPL 2026 ultimate. The veteran batter missed India’s ODI collection in opposition to Afghanistan however is predicted to return in time for the upcoming three-match ODI collection in opposition to England after having fun with one other excellent IPL season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Virat Kohli picks Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic World Cup masterclass

Talking on the YouTube channel of his way of life model One8, Kohli’s response shortly grabbed the eye of cricket followers, providing a glimpse into the match that impressed him throughout his childhood. He revealed that the 2003 World Cup match between India and Pakistan at Centurion could be his alternative. The match in query was India’s well-known conflict in opposition to Pakistan in the course of the 2003 ODI World Cup in South Africa, a contest remembered largely for a wide ranging innings by Sachin Tendulkar in opposition to a world-class bowling assault.

“That’s fairly a tough one to reply. I’d most likely say the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, Centurion. I’d have cherished to be batting with Sachin Paaji when he hit that shot off Shoaib and the way in which he batted that day. That actually knocked me into the truth of, ‘Woah, that is the extent I need to get to.’ And I’d like to be on the non-striker’s finish,” Kohli mentioned.

The innings stays one of the celebrated knocks in ODI World Cup historical past. Chasing 274, Tendulkar took the assault to Pakistan’s formidable tempo trio of Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, giving India early momentum in a high-pressure contest.

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Tendulkar’s 98 continues to encourage generations

One of many defining moments of the innings got here when Tendulkar upper-cut Akhtar over level for a shocking six, a shot that has since develop into a part of cricket folklore. The Indian legend adopted it up with consecutive boundaries, immediately shifting the strain onto Pakistan and energising tens of millions of followers watching around the globe.

Though Tendulkar fell for 98 off simply 75 deliveries, his aggressive begin had already laid the muse for victory. India finally chased down the goal with six wickets in hand, securing one in all their most memorable World Cup wins in opposition to their arch-rivals.

The match itself was a outstanding one for Tendulkar. He completed because the main run-scorer with 673 runs in 11 innings, together with six half-centuries and one century. Whereas India finally misplaced to Australia within the ultimate, Tendulkar’s performances all through the competitors stay among the many best particular person campaigns in World Cup historical past.

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