Virat Kohli Shares His Thoughts on Crowd Reactions Following Teammate’s Dismissal

Virat Kohli’s Discomfort with Crowd Cheers

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli may be India’s biggest crowd-puller, but the former captain has expressed his discomfort with the fans’ habit of cheering when an Indian batter is dismissed, as it signifies his arrival at the crease.

A Long-standing Tradition in Indian Cricket

This moment has been a tradition in Indian cricket for years. During Sachin Tendulkar‘s era, loud cheers at the fall of the second wicket in Test matches often indicated that the legend was next in line. This trend continued with MS Dhoni, and now, it includes Kohli.

A Change in Atmosphere During the ODI

However, during India’s first ODI against New Zealand, a significant change was observed. When Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a brisk 26, the stadium fell briefly silent. Kohli waited to walk out until Rohit had left the field, and only then did the applause for Kohli begin.

Kohli Addresses the Issue

After being named the Player of the Match, Kohli spoke about his discomfort with the crowd’s cheers. “I’m aware of it, and honestly, I don’t feel good about it,” Kohli said. “I’ve seen the same thing happen with MS as well. It’s not a great feeling for the guy walking back. I understand the crowd’s excitement, but I try to focus on what I need to do and not think too much about it.”

Gratitude Amidst Discomfort

Kohli balanced his honesty with gratitude for the love he receives from fans. “I’m extremely grateful. It’s a blessing, honestly. To give so much happiness to so many people just by doing what you love—what more can I ask for? I’m living my dream, and seeing people smile makes me happy.”

An Unstoppable Performance

The 37-year-old continued to demonstrate his talent during the match, scoring 93 runs as India successfully chased down 301 runs. This marked his seventh consecutive fifty-plus score in List-A cricket, emphasizing his dominance in high-pressure situations.

Strategic Mindset on the Field

“The basic idea is I bat at number three, and if the situation is tricky, I back myself to counterattack,” Kohli explained. “Any ball can have your name on it, so there’s no point being passive. You stick to your strengths.”

No Focus on Personal Milestones

Despite missing out on his 54th ODI hundred, Kohli reiterated that milestones are not his priority. “If I’m being brutally honest, I’m not thinking about records at all. The only thing on my mind was getting the team into a position where we could win comfortably.”