Virat Kohli recalls 2011 World Cup final triumph: Sachin Tendulkar paaji told me to build a partnership
India Today
11 years of India's 2011 World Cup triumph: Recalling the historic final against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, Virat Kohli said he meant what he had said about Sachin Tendulkar and stressed the enormity of his idol's contribution to Indian cricket is peeerless. .
A 22-year-old Virat Kohli, who was still not the cricket superstar that he is, walked out to bat in a World Cup final even as his idol, Sachin Tendulkar was walking back to the pavilion afr getting out for just 18, breaking the hearts of a million Indians.
Chasing 275 against Sri Lanka on the night of the big final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Virat Kohli could feel the pressure. Inda had had several World Cup heartbreaks between 1983 and 2011 and Kohli was tasked with the responsibility of making sure there wasn't another one when he was sent at No. 4. India were reeling at 31/2 after a stunning new-ball burst from Lasith Malinga.
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Recalling the memorable World Cup 2011 triumph on its 11th anniversary, Virat Kohli revealed a piece of advice from "Sachin paaji" as he walked into the field. Kohli scored 35, which he calls the most crucial 35 of his career, helping steady the ship with an 83-run stand with Gautam Gambhir, who stole the show with a match-wnning 97 before MS Dhoni's blitzkrieg (91 off 79).
Before that winning six was hit, there was hard work done by Kohli and Gambhir. They weathered the storm and made sure Malinga did not run away with the game. Kohli got out in the 22nd over, after being caught by Tilakaratne Dilshan off his own bowling.
"I remember the pressure of walking into bat, at 2 down for 20. Sachin and Sehwag both got out. Sachin paaji had a brief chat with me when I walked in. He said 'build a partnership. We did build a partnership, me and Gautam Gambhir, and we added 90 runs," Kohli told RCB on Saturday.
"Probably the most valuable 35 that I scored in my cricketing career. I was very happy that I was a part of putting the team back on track, and contributed in whatever way I could."
