Former captain of the Indian team Virat Kohli shared the secret to his success after scoring 15,000 runs in the ODI format. The experienced batsman made it clear that his goal was never to chase personal records or statistics; he always aimed to lead the team out of difficult situations and achieve victory.
During the ODI match against West Indies on September 27 (Sunday) in Tiruvannataruppu, Kohli completed his 55th ODI century and surpassed the 15,000 ODI run mark. He became the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to reach this milestone.
In an interview with BCCI.tv, Virat Kohli stated: 'If you look at it from a statistical point of view, it is a big number. But the goal is simple—to try to bring victory to the team under various circumstances. I have been trying to do exactly that for the last few years.' The 37-year-old noted that focusing solely on personal achievements is not the right path for a long career in international cricket.
He continued: 'You cannot play only for numbers for so long. If you want to get points, you will compromise the main goal, and then you won't be able to play for long.'
Kohli acknowledged that achieving a result like 15,000 ODI runs is significant for him, but since it happened alongside another team victory, the joy was even greater.
Regarding Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli talked about playing together in the squad. He emphasized that they do not require long discussions on the field. Shubman understands his game and responsibility well. Kohli added that sometimes, relying on his experience, he gives Shubman advice on shot selection or game conditions, but most of the communication happens during fielding sessions. The captain has a lot of information there, and discussing different opinions can be useful. He also highly praised Shubman's playing qualities, noting that he knows what he needs to do.
India's captain Shubman Gill called the moment Kohli reached 15,000 ODI runs very special for him. Shubman shared that he watched Kohli as a child and considered him his role model. At that time, he could not imagine that he would one day be on the field next to him and witness such a historic event. Shubman noted that by watching Kohli for a long time, he tried to understand what made him so special. Now, the time spent together in the dressing room and on the field is a memorable part of his journey. He also praised Kohli's current form, believing that he is currently enjoying his game and his confidence is visible.
Virat Kohli also responded positively to Shubman Gill's captaincy. He stated that leading the team is not easy. Shubman possesses the right vision of the game and the ability to lead the team to victory. Kohli said: 'One of the reasons he leads the team is that he has the right view of the game that allows him to lead the team to victory.' Kohli also highlighted the responsibility of senior players for the team atmosphere, noting that the calm and positive behavior of experienced players in moments of pressure directly affects the rest of the team.
