Virat Kohli flattered by Sachin Tendulkar comparisons after century in India's win over Pakistan
Monday 16 February 2015 09:16, UK
Virat Kohli was happy to be compared to Sachin Tendulkar after his 107 helped India to a 76-run win over Pakistan at the World Cup.
Kohli's 22nd ODI hundred puts him tied second with Sourav Ganguly for the most by and Indian batsman, with Tendulkar well out in front with 49.
But Kohli has so far played only 151 matches, compared to Ganguly’s 308 and Tendulkar’s 463, making his record all the more impressive.
"It’s a really big compliment,” Kohli said. “Expectations are going to be there when you do well for your country but I just look to stand up to them because I hate losing.
“It’s probably one of the biggest innings I’ve had in my career so far and just an amazing day for us to start this World Cup – a very important, pressure-filled game against Pakistan.
"I love winning games and playing for my country. It comes naturally to me, the expectation and the pressure.
"Although it has been hard to keep focussed, especially the last couple of days – but that’s the skill at the international level, you’ve got to stay in your zone, in your own little space and try to work things out for yourself."
Losing is something Kohli has had to get used to on their tour of Australia though as India went winless through a four-Test series an ODI Tri-Series before registering a World Cup warm-up win over Afghanistan.
He scored four hundreds in the Test series against Australia but struggled in their recent limited-over outings with five single-figure scores in six innings leading into the World Cup. However, a change in approach ahead of the Pakistan game has helped him get back to his best.
Freedom
“We talked about it and my role in the team is to bat through and let the power hitters around me come in and play with freedom,” he said.
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“That’s something I’m looking to do at this World Cup and I’m really happy I could play my role really well today but also the way Suresh [Raina] and Shikhar [Dhawan] batted today was really commendable.”
Dhawan (73) and Raina (74) supported Kohli as India posted 300 from their 50 overs in the comfortable win.
It was a target that Pakistan’s captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, thought was achievable though and he was disappointed by his team’s efforts.
“They played well, posted a good total and bowled well but I thought 300 was gettable,” he said. “The pitch was very good, and our bowlers pulled them back well in the last 10 overs.
“But two or three of our batsmen didn't get in and when we lost wickets in the middle overs it made it hard.”
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