‘Puri umeede hai aapse, jitwa do bass’ – Fans react to Virat Kohli’s ‘players want to win the World Cup more than anyone’ statement

The Indian team is in Bengaluru for their preparatory camp ahead of Asia Cup ODI 2023. As such, star batter Virat Kohli attended a promotional event for one of his brand endorsements. In the same, the 2011 World Cup winner opened up on his aspirations ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023. However, the team’s first assignment remains the Asia Cup ODI 2023 which starts on Wednesday, August 30. India open their campaign on September 2 against Pakistan in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

“Any challenge in front of you, you look forward to it. When difficulty comes in front of you get excited. You do not 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 in Bengaluru on Monday, August 28.

‘My career highlight is obviously winning the World Cup in 2011’ – Virat Kohli

“The pressure is always there. The fans always say they want (the team) to win a cup very badly. I would like to say, not more than me. So, I am 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 opened up on the greatest moment in his career which according to him is winning the 2011 ODI World Cup on home soil. “My career highlight is 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,” Kohli said.

Here’s how fans reacted: