Kohli expects well-contested match

Exactly two weeks back when Virat Kohli’s India thrashed Pakistan by a whopping 124 runs margin in their ICC Champions Trophy opener, they were hot favourites to retain the title even though hosts England were red-hot favourite.

While most of the people expected India to make it all the way to the final, even a hardcore Pakistani fan hardly gave bottom-ranked team even a ghost of a chance. But as things turned out, they were wrong. Pakistan beat England so convincingly in the semifinal that India had to rethink about their strategy.
In knock out match anything can happen as cricket is the game of great uncertainty. The form book still overwhelmingly backs India to successfully defend their title, but the manner in which Pakistan contemptuously dismissed favourites like South Africa and England, makes the final that much more absorbing.
And an India vs Pakistan match is always a pressure. Whatever they said, they thought, no players could stay them away from the pressure. The history suggested those who could deal with the pressure well, they won the match regardless of the strength of the team. So much talk was revolving around the pressure. What Virat Kohli thought ahead of the game is that they should stay off social media and feel relaxed.
“The biggest thing is to stay off social media. Honestly, it sounds funny, but it’s so important to stay away from those things, to connect to things that matter, the things that a sportsman needs to take care of. You know, connecting to yourselves within, taking a bit more time to do stuff which you don’t normally get to do and stay away from everything,” Kohli said.
“If you’re too distracted listening to too many suggestions or players or criticism, then you can’t focus on what you need to think as a sportsman first to be able to lead the team and then help the others in the team, as well. Yeah, that’s probably been the biggest learning. To be able to maintain that balance nicely has been a good thing for me.”
Kohli took India to the final in his first assignment as a captain in any ICC event and winning the trophy would keep him on the way to eclipse his predecessor Mahendra Singh Dhoni in termsof achievement.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a very good — very well-contested match. Both teams obviously want to win the final. They’ve worked really hard to be there, to stand in the final, and I’m sure that every player is going to come out and give their 120 per cent, and if 11 players from both sides end up doing that, it’s going to be an exciting encounter. I don’t see any relevance of the first game in this one.”

Kohli expects well-contested match

Exactly two weeks back when Virat Kohlis India thrashed Pakistan by a whopping 124 runs margin in their ICC Champions Trophy opener, they were hot favourites to retain the title even though hosts England were red-hot favourite. While most of the people expected India to make it all the way to the final, even a hardcore Pakistani fan hardly gave bottom-ranked team even a ghost of a chance. But as things turned out, they were wrong. Pakistan beat England so convincingly in the semifinal that India had to rethink about their strategy. In knock out match anything can happen as cricket is the game of great uncertainty. The form book still overwhelmingly backs India to successfully defend their title, but the manner in which Pakistan contemptuously dismissed favourites like South Africa and England, makes the final that much more absorbing. And an India vs Pakistan match is always a pressure. Whatever they said, they thought, no players could stay them away from the pressure. The history suggested those who could deal with the pressure well, they won the match regardless of the strength of the team. So much talk was revolving around the pressure. What Virat Kohli thought ahead of the game is that they should stay off social media and feel relaxed. The biggest thing is to stay off social media. Honestly, it sounds funny, but its so important to stay away from those things, to connect to things that matter, the things that a sportsman needs to take care of. You know, connecting to yourselves within, taking a bit more time to do stuff which you dont normally get to do and stay away from everything, Kohli said. If youre too distracted listening to too many suggestions or players or criticism, then you cant focus on what you need to think as a sportsman first to be able to lead the team and then help the others in the team, as well. Yeah, thats probably been the biggest learning. To be able to maintain that balance nicely has been a good thing for me. Kohli took India to the final in his first assignment as a captain in any ICC event and winning the trophy would keep him on the way to eclipse his predecessor Mahendra Singh Dhoni in termsof achievement. Im sure its going to be a very good very well-contested match. Both teams obviously want to win the final. Theyve worked really hard to be there, to stand in the final, and Im sure that every player is going to come out and give their 120 per cent, and if 11 players from both sides end up doing that, its going to be an exciting encounter. I dont see any relevance of the first game in this one.