Virat Kohli has opened up about the work he does in the background as he prepares himself to be a part of the Indian set-up for next year’s ODI World Cup. There has been plenty of talk about Kohli being a part of the Indian team for next year’s 50-over World Cup.
When Kohli was asked about wanting to play in the Cricket World Cup for India next year by Mayanti Langer for the RCB Podcast, Kohli said: “When I come to play, I know what I can deliver in terms of effort. Performance—no one can guarantee performance in any space. But in terms of effort and commitment, I know what I can deliver because I literally live my life like that. It’s not like I prepare for a series and suddenly start working hard two or three weeks before. I’m like that through the year. So if you call me and if you say there’s a series coming up, I’m ready. I’m always ready because that’s my daily life, you know. I workout and eat well at home because I like living that way; it’s not only to play cricket. So that’s where I am.
“I mean, this 2027 chat… I’ve been asked so many times, ‘Do you want to play in 2027?’ I’m like, why would I leave my home, get my stuff over and be like, ‘I don’t know what I want.’ Of course, if I’m playing, I want to play cricket and I want to carry on. Playing a World Cup for India is amazing. But as I said, the value has to be from both sides.”
Kohli then spoke about his commitment towards playing the game.
“Today my perspective is very clear. If I can add value to the environment that I’m a part of, and the environment feels like I can add value, I’ll be seen. If I’m made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I’m not in that space because I’m being honest to my preparation. I’m being honest to how I approach the game. I put my head down. I work hard… when I arrive to play, I put my head down. I work as hard, if not harder, than anyone else. And I play the game in the right way.
“You want me to run boundary to boundary for 40 overs in an ODI game? I will do that without a complaint because I prepare accordingly. I prepare for the fact that I will field 50 overs, every ball like it’s the last ball I’m going to play in my career, and I will bat that way and I will run between the wickets that way and I will do everything possible for the team. After operating like this, if I have to be in a place where I have to prove my worth and value, that place is not meant to be for me. And I am very clear in my head from that perspective. When I went back to play, I was very clear in my head: I’m not going out there to prove anything to anyone. I’m going to play because I love playing the game.”