Former India skipper and run-machine Virat Kohli has admitted that arch-rivals Pakistan have a quality bowling attack and the Men In Blue have to be at their absolute best in their upcoming high-octane clash in the 2023 Asia Cup on September 2 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
The arch-rivals faced each other last time at the 2022 T20 World Cup where Kohli played one of his best knocks in white-ball cricket to help India emerge victorious. However, the format will be different in the upcoming Asia Cup however, a lot would once again depend on Kohli as how he tackles Pakistan’s fierce pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.
Ahead of the clash, Kohli, 34, talked about the Pakistan cricket team and said they have impactful bowlers.
“I feel bowling is their strength. And they’ve got some really impactful bowlers that can change the course of the game anytime based on their skill set. So you have to be at your absolute best to face them,” Kohli told Starts Sports
”@I only try to understand how I can better my game. Every day, every practice session, every year, every season. This is what has helped me play this well for so long and to perform for my team,” Kohli said.
“I don’t think you can perform consistently without that mindset, because if your performance is your only goal, then you can be satisfied and stop working hard,” he added.
Speaking on his motto which has helped him become a better cricketer, Kohli said: “My motto has always been to ‘Chase betterment’, not excellence I would say, because I don’t know what the definition of excellence is. There is no limit to it, there is no set achievement that if you reach a certain stage you’ve reached excellence.”
Kohli also made a point that performance is a byproduct of a player’s mindset.
“I think I strive for betterment every day, so that is a better word to use and yes, performance obviously becomes a byproduct because your mindset is ‘How do I make my team win from this position? This will make me a better player or this will get my team in a better position if I perform this way’. So this has always been my mindset,” he added.