“I couldn't sleep till 6 in the morning” - When Virat Kohli thought he was 'finished' after a failure against Pakistan in 2009
Virat Kohli may finish his career as arguably the greatest batter across formats but things weren't always smooth sailing at the start of his career. In an interview before India's 2019 ODI World Cup clash against Pakistan, Kohli recalled when he thought his career was finished after a failure against the same opponent.
Playing in only his seventh match for India against Pakistan in the 2009 Champions Trophy, Kohli had come in as replacement for the injured Yuvraj Singh. However, he could not make the most of his opportunity and was dismissed for only 16.
Kohli remembered ten years later how he could not sleep till the morning thinking his career might be finished. He was quoted by India Today as saying:
"Tense was Champions Trophy 2009 where Yuvi fractured a finger and I was flown in and in two days time I was playing against Pakistan at Centurion. I hadn't experienced anything like that before. And I played a very bad shot. I couldn't sleep till 6 in the morning, I kept looking at the ceiling thinking that's it. I am finished. That was the most tensed moment I have experienced."
Unfortunately for Kohli, the 2009 Pakistan encounter ended with India suffering a 54-run defeat to start their Champions Trophy campaign.
Virat Kohli responded with a match-winning half-century in his next batting innings
Virat Kohli has been famous throughout his career for his ability to bounce back from a low score. That knack started after the Pakistan clash of the 2009 Champions Trophy.
After India's following match against Australia was washed out, ending their chances of a semi-final berth, Kohli made amends in the final game against the West Indies.
The now-35-year-old scored an unbeaten 79 off 104 deliveries to help India successfully chase 130 on a tricky Wanderers pitch. Kohli was named the Player of the Match and the champion batter scored three half-centuries and two centuries in his next nine ODI innings to establish himself in India's ODI side.
Fast forward to 15 years later and Kohli is the all-time leader in ODI centuries with 50 and second in total runs with 13,906 at an astonishing average of 58.18 in 295 outings.