Virat Kohli has by no means shied away from expressing his admiration for a few of cricket’s biggest moments, and the previous India captain not too long ago mirrored on one such event that continues to carry a particular place in his reminiscence. Extensively thought to be one of many most interesting batters of the trendy period, Kohli revealed that there’s one iconic cricketing second he needs he may have skilled firsthand as a participant.
The 37-year-old, who’s at the moment recovering from a hamstring harm sustained in the course of the IPL 2026 ultimate. The veteran batter missed India’s ODI sequence in opposition to Afghanistan however is predicted to return in time for the upcoming three-match ODI sequence in opposition to England after having fun with one other excellent IPL season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Virat Kohli picks Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic World Cup masterclass
Talking on the YouTube channel of his life-style model One8, Kohli’s response shortly grabbed the eye of cricket followers, providing a glimpse into the match that impressed him throughout his early life. He revealed that the 2003 World Cup match between India and Pakistan at Centurion can be his selection. The match in query was India’s well-known conflict in opposition to Pakistan in the course of the 2003 ODI World Cup in South Africa, a contest remembered largely for a panoramic innings by Sachin Tendulkar in opposition to a world-class bowling assault.
“That’s fairly a troublesome one to reply. I’d most likely say the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, Centurion. I’d have cherished to be batting with Sachin Paaji when he hit that shot off Shoaib and the best way he batted that day. That basically knocked me into the truth of, ‘Woah, that is the extent I wish to get to.’ And I’d like to be on the non-striker’s finish,” Kohli mentioned.
The innings stays one of the crucial celebrated knocks in ODI World Cup historical past. Chasing 274, Tendulkar took the assault to Pakistan’s formidable tempo trio of Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, giving India early momentum in a high-pressure contest.
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Tendulkar’s 98 continues to encourage generations
One of many defining moments of the innings got here when Tendulkar upper-cut Akhtar over level for a surprising six, a shot that has since develop into a part of cricket folklore. The Indian legend adopted it up with consecutive boundaries, immediately shifting the strain onto Pakistan and energising hundreds of thousands of followers watching world wide.
Though Tendulkar fell for 98 off simply 75 deliveries, his aggressive begin had already laid the inspiration for victory. India finally chased down the goal with six wickets in hand, securing considered one of their most memorable World Cup wins in opposition to their arch-rivals.
The match itself was a exceptional one for Tendulkar. He completed because the main run-scorer with 673 runs in 11 innings, together with six half-centuries and one century. Whereas India finally misplaced to Australia within the ultimate, Tendulkar’s performances all through the competitors stay among the many most interesting particular person campaigns in World Cup historical past.
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