Long before records and milestones became routine, there was a young boy who simply loved holding a bat. On Sunday, that love story with cricket reached yet another unforgettable chapter as Virat Kohli reflected on a journey he still finds hard to believe is real.
India’s batting icon once again etched his name into the history books during the first ODI against New Zealand. The 37 years old cricketer became the fastest player in international cricket to score 28,000 runs across formats, achieving the feat in just 624 innings. Only Sachin Tendulkar stands ahead of him on the overall list, while Kumar Sangakkara remains the third member of this elite club. Virat Kohli brought up the landmark with a boundary off New Zealand leg-spinner Adithya Ashok, a moment that quietly summed up years of relentless excellence.
After the match, Virat Kohli looked back at his career with deep humility. He described his rise as something he had dreamed of but never taken for granted. While he always believed in his talent, he admitted that reaching the top required consistent hard work, patience and personal growth. Rather than focusing on what he has achieved, Virat Kohli emphasised gratitude for opportunities, support and the ability to play the game he fell in love with as a child.
Watch The Video:
https://x.com/BCCI/status/2010397184378998957
Click here to watch this video directly on X
One theme stood out clearly in his reflections — the joy of giving back to fans. Virat Kohli acknowledged how special it feels to know that his performances bring happiness to millions across the world. For him, being able to make people smile simply by playing cricket is a blessing that outweighs any statistic or trophy.
On the field, Virat Kohli’s impact was just as significant. His composed 93 off 91 balls played a crucial role in India’s victory. He explained that personal milestones were far from his mind during the innings. Instead, his focus was entirely on reading the match situation. With India chasing, he chose patience over flair, even though he felt capable of attacking more aggressively.
Virat Kohli also spoke about how his approach has evolved over the years. Batting at number three, he now prefers to take calculated risks early rather than waiting passively, especially when the team loses an early wicket. He believes modern cricket demands a balance — trusting one’s strengths, applying pressure on the opposition and avoiding unnecessary risks.
That mindset proved decisive after Rohit Sharma’s dismissal. Virat Kohli sensed an opportunity to shift momentum by pushing the pace early, building a partnership and forcing the bowlers onto the defensive. That phase, he felt, ultimately changed the course of the match.
As records continue to fall, Virat Kohli remains grounded. For him, the numbers matter less than the journey, the lessons learned and the happiness shared along the way. And perhaps that is what truly makes his story timeless.
