T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli Opens About Clash With Arch Rival Pakistan

The former Indian captain and start batsman says that the passions are high for the upcoming mega event of T20 World Cup 2024 in the US and the West-Indies.

Virat Kohli, India’s star batsman and former captain, has shared his thoughts on the upcoming clash against arch-rival Pakistan during the T20I World Cup 2024.

India and Pakistan will face off on June 9 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

Kohli expressed his views in an interview with Jio Cinema, stating, “The passion around and outside the game is much more than the events on the field.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on the present rather than getting ahead of oneself, saying, “So forget about June 9; I can only do what I have to do an hour later.” Kohli affirmed his continuing passion for the game, noting that once that hunger is gone, he would no longer participate in any tournament. “If I don’t have this mindset, I can’t play. There is an energy in such tournaments, a good atmosphere within the team; it is a beautiful journey in which we really enjoyed the World Cup,” said the 35-year-old.

Virat Kohli has been a pivotal player for India over the past decade. Since his international debut in a one-day match against Sri Lanka in Dambulla in 2008, Kohli has played 113 Tests, 292 ODIs, and 117 T20Is. The right-handed superstar has amassed 26,733 international runs across formats, including 80 centuries, making him second only to Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record for the most international centuries (100). Kohli is also in outstanding form in the ongoing IPL, where he is the highest run-scorer with 661 runs at an average of 66.10 in 13 innings.

India will start their World Cup campaign on June 5 against Ireland at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Following this, they will play against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue. Subsequent matches will be against the USA and Canada on June 12 and 15, respectively.