April 2nd, 2011 will always be a special day in the minds of the ardent cricket fans of India. This was the day when India broke the 28 year old wait of lifting the coveted world cup. Once MS Dhoni dispatched Nuwan Kulasekara for a huge six and Ravi Shastri uttered the iconic words “And Dhoni finishes it off in style” there were tears and celebrations, on and out of the ground. An entire nation descended to celebrate a landmark moment in the history of Indian cricket, as Gary Kirsten in his last game as the Indian coach threw his arms up in the air.
Kohli revisits the iconic day –
A lot has changed for Virat Kohli since that April 2nd in Mumbai. He has since gone on to become one of the best batters of this generation. He also has made India a strong test nation during his stint as the captain. Back in 2011 though he was an upcoming batter who was playing with superstars like Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan. India were placed at 31 for 2 after Lasith Malinga struck to have Tendulkar LBW for 18 to leave Mumbai in a hushed silence. Kohli curbed his natural instincts to score 35 off 49 balls. Kohli and Gambhir added 83 crucial runs for the 3rd wicket before he was dismissed by Dilshan caught and bowled, to lay the platform of MSD to do his magic.
Kohli talks about the advice from the great Tendulkar –
When Sachin Tendulkar fell for 18 off 14 balls, the whole of India was in shock, as this was his moment to see his dream become a reality. As Kohli was walking into the ground, Sachin Tendulkar stopped for a few moments and gave the young Delhi batter a good piece of advice. While speaking to RCB TV the former Indian captain rememeber what was said to. Kohli said “I remember the pressure of walking into bat, at 2 down for 20. Sachin and Sehwag both got out. Sachin paaji had a brief chat with me when I walked in. He said 'build a partnership. We did build a partnership, me and Gautam Gambhir, and we added 90 runs”
Kohli holds his 35 runs scored in high esteem –
Virat Kohli calmed the nerves of a billion Indians who were in a state of shock with his 35 run knock. He put his head down and showed maturity beyond his years as he went about the rebuilding process along with Gautam Gambhir. His knock included 4 fours and he was instrumental in calming the nerves of his team mates in the dressing room in a tense and iconic game. Kohli also spoke about the atmosphere inside the ground with the passions running high amongst the fans. Speaking about the knock Kohli said “probably the most valuable 35 that I scored in my cricketing career. I was very happy that I was a part of putting the team back on track, and contributed in whatever way I could. The thrill of winning the World Cup was something unbelievable. The whole atmosphere of the crowd singing Vande Mataram and Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar’s song, it was a surreal moment and that’s something that is still so fresh in our memories”
The king recalls the iconic words he said about the great man –
Naseer Hussain had the first hand view of the passions that were running through on that iconic night. Yuvraj Singh down on his haunches in tears, Harbhajan Singh openly crying, Sreesanth filled with tears (the happy kinds), Sachin Tendulkar too was overwhelm with emotions. The moment of the day came when the entire team with Kohli and Yusuf Pathan in particular carrying a very satisfied and happy 37 year old Mumbaikar in Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli had said back then “Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years, it was time we carried him, Chak De India” . those words became iconic for India and its new breed of cricket fans for a long time. From being a pupil now Kohli is the master and the 33 year old remembered fondly the impact Tendulkar had on him. Here is what Kohli said to the official RCB TV “ I said what I said. It was true. His legacy had to be taken forward and those were massive shoes to fill. I think we have all tried to contribute to Indian cricket close to what he can but I think his achievements are so great and so far-fetched and done over such a long period of time that it feels surreal to actually be in that process”
Kohli’s final thoughts on the game 11 years ago –
When Kohli played the 2011 world cup he was yet another name that was on the potential to be watched list. Since 2012 he took the onus on him to score runs by the truckload and he changed the definition of batting. Year after year he ticked off every run scoring feat before given the task of leading the nation. While his batting has dropped a bit in the last few years, the aura of Kohli hasn’t waned. He is to this generation what Tendulkar was to the previous generations. Now Kohli enjoys the same status that Tendulkar enjoyed during his playing career. Kohli at 33 still has a good few years left in the game, but reflecting back on the night of 2nd April 2022, the young sprightly yet a bit on the cherubic side Kohli lifting Tendulkar on his shoulders come to mind. Kohli now smarter and more wiser said “after 11 years, I stand here, I said what I said back then but now I understand the weight of those expectations”
The world is looking forward to 2023 as India gets to host the world cup after a dozen years, and perhaps Virat Kohli would score the winning runs. Some youngster would lift him up on his shoulder and say those iconic words and Kohli gets his hands on the world cup one more time.