Kohli: 15,000 runs is a big number, but the goal is only to win matches

Talismanic batter Virat Kohli on Sunday said milestones have never been his focus and that he is excited to lsquounlock a new versionrsquo of himself at this stage of his career after becoming only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to complete 15000 ODI runsThe 37yearold who got to the landmark faster than anyone in menrsquos ODI smashed an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls ndash his 55th ODI ton as India beat West Indies by eight wickets in the first ODI here at the Greenfield International Stadium to go 10 up in the threematch seriesWell my focus has never really been on these milestones so to say Its just understanding the situation along the course of just doing the job for the team whatever Achievements come along Obviously I feel very grateful and very blessed to be in this position for having played for so longldquoJust keeping my head down working hard and thanking God for everything that Ive been blessed with and the opportunities that Ive gotten in my life to be where I am We have a very blessed life and a blessed journey because so many people want to be here but we get to be the lucky ones So we better put our head down and just work hard every day of our lives said Kohli in a chat with broadcasters at the conclusion of the gameKohli who now plays only ODIs for India said the key to his recent consistency in the 50over format lay in staying fit and mentally fresh I think just the understanding of the game firstly also at the stage that Im at just keeping myself physically very fit because the games more or less in the mindldquoIve never been a guy who practiced a lot even when I was playing all three formats as you know So its just for me about staying mentally fresh staying in the present moment and just expressing myself really out there to play in a certain way get used to this template more oftenThe former captain said he had set himself the task of batting at a higher tempo in ODIs Ive got a challenge at this stage of my career to kind of up the ante and play a gear or two higher and that was exciting for me to work on Again it excites you when you have to unlock a new version at this stage of your career which will eventually help any team that you play for be it playing for India or in the IPLIts really helped me a lot to play with a free mind and I think thats whats working for me But I think to follow a free mind you need a fit body So for me it works the other way around I stay physically fit and then Im able to visualize the game in the way that I want to play which allows me the best chance to go out there and execute in the way that I did tonightAsked about his state of mind Kohli spoke of the gratitude he feels for his journey Im just very grateful and happy to be honest Like its the only thing we need to do is just look back once and where we came from Thats something that we tend to forget when we are caught up with the hustle of the world and the positions we get into with so much attention and fame and so much love from the fansIt can be very easy to forget where you came from But I think just looking back at the journey from when you started as a child just makes you feel grateful I enjoy each and every minute that Im out there playing for India because I understand that as I said I could have been a possibility that I wouldnt be standing here I wouldnt have played for India at all That could have been my reality as wellBut Im getting to live all these amazing moments representing my country playing in front of such big crowds and doing the job for the team As a cricket player this is all that I dreamt of and Im getting it So I have nothing but gratitude in my heart and as I said I just want to put my head down keep working hard put a smile on my face and hopefully make other people smile too he explainedKohli also had a message for young players who look up to him Its a fact which we dont want to face as athletes that even if everything ends after this game you have to play the way you want to play the game and you have to remind yourself that every time you go out to playldquoThat unlocks that positivity that taking a risk that unlocks that mindset which helps you to win games for your team Thats the only advice I would give to the young guys dont think a lot about all the other stuff outside of the field Once you enter the ground this is everything and it should be everything for you guys and just put your body on the lineAs I said put your head down If you have to run four doubles in an over when youre batting at 150 you have to do it There are no excuses So if they play like that then you should be fine he addedWith the 2027 ODI World Cup a year away Kohli said playing a single format had given him clarity about his goals Also clarity I mean were a year away from the World Cup I know what my goal is and its pretty clear for me that whatever games we get I just need to keep working on different aspects of the game keep myself physically fit challenge myself to be out there run from boundary to boundary in the last 15 overs if I can field in the inner ring show intensityIf I keep ticking all those boxes as I said Ive got some time left to play in this format as well and yeah I just want to enjoy every day So when I get an opportunity I feel happy rather than feeling anxiety or pressure to make the most of itI just want to express myself and play my game As I said I promised myself Im going to play positively because I can So Im going to continue to play like that but not be reckless Theres a fine line which as a professional as an experienced player I should have the ability to execute in this way without playing reckless shots and get the team through he addedKohli who added 151 for the second wicket with skipper Shubman Gill 110 was full of praise for his captain Theres a reason why hes leading the team Hes got the right perspective as I said to look at the game in the way that making the team win from different situations When you play with a guy like that its not very difficult to string in a partnership because he knows what needs to be done I know what needs to be doneYou could have a conversation here and there based on your experience in terms of the areas we could probably hit but hes the top ODI batter in the world Theres not much that needs to be said to him Its just about stringing in partnerships and making sure we do justice to the ability and the talent we have in this teamldquoHes probably up there with the best players in the world and obviously a very talented guy So not having to say much to him while batting In the field when he needs my help Im always available he concludedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever