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As Team India gears up for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 , they find themselves in a unique position. While the nation expects nothing less than victory on home soil, there’s an undeniable pressure stemming from India’s decade-long drought in ICC events. Despite their near-misses and valiant efforts over the past ten years, the coveted trophy has remained elusive.
This time, under Rohit Sharma‘s captaincy, the Men in Blue are determined to end this dry spell and clinch an ICC title, a feat they haven’t achieved since their triumph in the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Virat Kohli’s determination to aecure another World Cup victory
Apart from Rohit’s captaincy, one individual who will play a pivotal role in India’s World Cup campaign is the former skipper, Virat Kohli. Since the retirement of the legendary MS Dhoni, Kohli has been on a quest to add an ICC title to his impressive list of accomplishments. Speaking at a promotional event, the 34-year-old expressed his eagerness for the upcoming quadrennial event, scheduled to commence on October 5 in India. He described the challenge as one that excites him and the entire team, emphasizing that they have an unquenchable thirst to clinch the title.
“Any challenge in front of you, you look forward to it. When difficulty comes in front of you get excited. You don’t shy away from it. After 15 years I still like encounters, and the World Cup 2023 is one (challenge). It excites me, I need something new to, you know, propel me to another level,” Kohli was quoted as saying by the PTI.
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Kohli emphasizes that the players’ inner desire to win the World Cup shines the brightest
While they are fully aware of the external pressure and the weight of expectations from their fans, Kohli highlighted that the desire to win the World Cup burns brightest within the players themselves.
“The pressure is always there. The fans always say we want (the team) to win a cup very badly. I’d like to say no more than me. So, I’m in the right place. Honestly, I know the expectations are there and the emotions of the people are there. But please know that no one wants to win more than players,” the Delhi-born cricketer concluded.
At present, Kohli is stationed with the Indian squad in Bengaluru, actively engaging in the preparatory camp for the Asia Cup 2023. As a seasoned batter, having recently celebrated his 15-year journey in international cricket, he carries substantial responsibility in India’s endeavors to triumph in both the Asia Cup and the World Cup.
