"Forget June 9, I can just do what I have to do now after one hour"- Virat Kohli on India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup encounter
In about three weeks' time, Virat Kohli will be lining up for India in their marquee T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan in New York on June 9. The build-up for the encounter between the arch-rivals has already begun for the fans, but not yet for the veteran Indian batter.
Kohli shed light on the importance of remaining in the present and claimed that the hype around the India-Pakistan encounter from the outside does not change the fact that it is just another game of cricket.
Speaking in a video on Jio Cinema alongside former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, here's what Virat Kohli had to say about the encounter and the build-up:
"The frenzy around and outside the game is way more than what happens on the field. An instinctive person always remains in the present. So, forget June 9, I can just do what I have to do now after one hour."
Kohli is currently enjoying an incredible IPL 2024 season with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), having scored 661 runs in 13 games. He has a genuine chance of making it to the playoffs if RCB beat the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their final league game and also improve their net run rate.
I'm as hungry as ever: Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli believes he is fired up to prove his mettle and help Team India clinch the T20 World Cup next month in the West Indies and the USA. Kohli had a sensational T20 World Cup two years ago, which also included the magical knock of 82* against Pakistan that helped his team win on the final ball.
Here's what he stated on his preparation for the 2024 edition of the showpiece event:
"I can say I'm as hungry as ever. Once there is no hunger, you won't see my in any tournament. If I don't have that mindset, I can't play. There is an energy in such tournaments and once there's a good atmosphere within the team, it's a beautiful journey. We had one in the last World Cup. We really enjoyed the World Cup. I'm sure we'll have a really good tournament this time as well."
Kohli claimed that the atmosphere in the Indian team during the 2023 World Cup was one of the main reasons why they dominated the way they did and also felt the supporters loved their brand of cricket. India will be hopeful of going one step better in the T20 World Cup next month.