Credit: X
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) legendary batter Virat Kohli has disclosed how his equation with extended family members changed after his memorable knock against Pakistan during the 2012 Asia Cup. In the continental competition between the arch-rivals at the Shere Bangla Stadium, Mirpur, India were tasked to chase 330 runs and Kohli stepped up with his bat and played a breathtaking innings of 183 runs off just 148 deliveries. His knock was studded with 23 boundaries (22 fours and a maximum). This is also Kohli's highest individual score in the ODI format. Riding on his extraordinary batting display, India completed the chase in 47.5 overs and clinched a convincing six-wicket victory against Pakistan.
In an interview with Mayanti Langer for RCB, Kohli was asked if things changed for him with his family members after he became an iconic cricketing figure for India. Replying to the question, Kohli said relations with his own family remained the same but such is not the case with extended family members.
“This happened around 2012, when I had a breakthrough game against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. And I clearly remember that things completely changed for me after that. I did not realise the impact of an India-Pakistan game, on the minds and hearts of people in India. When I came back from that Asia Cup, it was like I was in two different worlds. It was also very hard for me to process because I never thought that something different,” revealed Kohli.
"For me, it was a game of cricket, it was great, fine, next day you wake up, go to breakfast with your teammates, everything is fine, but how the dynamics changed around the perception, it was very difficult for me to process. Because when you see people that you’ve grown up with start calling you aap. Like people who you’ve probably, you know, played in their laps start calling you aap. I was like I clearly remembered telling my family, there was a function that was happening, I entered and you can sense the environment was locked onto me. It was weird because as a child I was brought up by these people," Kohli further added.
Watch Here:
RCB will take on Lucknow Super Giants on May 9
RCB, who are leading the points table currently, will play against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in the Indian Premier League (IPL) game to be held on May 9. RCB have accumulated eight wins in 11 matches, while Lucknow are placed at the seventh spot with only five wins and six losses in their 11 outings.
Virat Kohli, who has racked up four fifties in his last five games for RCB, will look to continue his form in the upcoming game. The 36-year-old is currently the Orange Cap holder with 505 runs in 11 contests at a strike rate of 143.46, with seven fifties.
