The upcoming ODI World Cup will be played in India across October and November, later this year.
“Any challenge in front of you, you look forward to it. When difficulty comes in front of you get excited. You don’t shy away from it. After 15 years I still like encounters, and the World Cup 2023 is one (challenge). It excites me, I need something new to, you know, propel me to another level,” said Kohli during a promotional event.
India haven’t been able to win an ICC title for the last 10 years. It was MS-Dhoni led side, which won the Champions Trophy in 2013 and since then, India have faltered at ICC events.
While Kohli admitted there is pressure of expectations on him and the team, he reminded everyone that no one wants to win the World Cup more than the players themselves.
“The pressure is always there. The fans always say we want (the team) to win a cup very badly. I’d like to say not more than me. So, I’m in the right place. Honestly, I know the expectations are there and the emotions of the people are there. But please know that no one wants to win more than players,” he said.
The 34-year-old also recalled the emotions of players, when India won the 50-over World Cup in 2011 at home.
“My career highlight ïs obviously winning the World Cup in 2011. I was 23 at the time, and I probably didn’t understand the magnitude of it. But now at 34, and has played many World Cups, which we haven’t been able to win, So,I understand the emotions of all the senior players (in 2011).
All the more for Sachin Tendulkar, as it was his last World Cup. He had already played many World Cups by then and to win it in Mumbai, his hometown, was very special for him. I mean, it was stuff from dreams,” said Kohli.
The former India skipper remembered the pressure piled on players ahead and during 2011 World Cup and said it was good that there was no social media back then.
“I remember the amount of pressure there was on all the players when we were travelling, Thankfully, there was no social media back then. It would have been a nightmare, honestly. But through the airports, it was always just one thing — we need to win the Cup,” Kohli said.
“The senior players were always under the pump and to handle all that pressure. It was just brilliant. And that night (after the WC win) in itself was something magical,” he added.
