Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag feels Virat Kohli is now in Sachin Tendulkar’s shoes and every player will look to win the upcoming World Cup for him. Kohli became a World Cup winner in 2011 but later admitted he could not connect with the win as he was new to the team.
Meanwhile, Sachin Tendulkar fulfilled his long-time dream of winning the World Cup in 2011 as India defeated Sri Lanka in the final by six wickets.
On the other hand, India lost the 2015 World Cup semifinal against eventual champions Australia whereas they once again lost the semifinal of the 2019 edition against New Zealand.
Virat will turn 35 during the upcoming World Cup and he will be 39 in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Kohli has been in decent form in the recent past and he will be hungry to deliver for India in the all-important event.
“We played that World Cup for Tendulkar. We won the World Cup, and it was a great exit for Sachin paaji,” Sehwag said during an ICC event to announce the World Cup schedule.
“Virat Kohli is (now) in Sachin Tendulkar’s shoes. The way he plays, talks, and looks after others and the way he plays cricket with his passion, he is the one now. Everybody is looking to win this World Cup for him.
“Virat Kohli is the same now. Everybody will look to win the World Cup for him. He always gives more than 100 per cent. I think Virat Kohli is also looking (forward) to this World Cup.
“(About) 100,000 people will watch you at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Virat knows how the pitches will behave. I am sure he will score a lot of runs and he will do his best to win the World Cup for India,” Sehwag added.
On the other hand, India will meet arch-rivals Pakistan in an epic clash on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. India has held an advantage against Pakistan in World Cup matches as they have a 7-0 record against the neighbors. Sehwag feels India has been able to soak in the pressure well as compared to Pakistan.
“I feel that now India handles the pressure that is why they win whereas Pakistan have a burden that they haven’t won against India. In the 1990s, they were good at dealing with pressure but after 2000, India soak it better.
“If any player says that they don’t feel pressure, I don’t think it’s right. We used to say it too but at the end of the day, we know it’s an India versus Pakistan game and emotions run high,” he said.
India will begin their World Cup campaign against Australia in Chennai on October 8.
