‘Pehle hi haar maan lia kya’ - Fans react as Virat Kohli opens up on fans’ expectations ahead of 2023 ODI World Cup

Team India are currently getting ready for the upcoming Asia Cup. But, their main focus is on the upcoming ODI World Cup, starting in October in India. The Men in Blue are expected to perform well and put an end to the drought of winning a major trophy as they last won way back in 2013. They won the 2011 ODI World Cup at home and since then, host nations have only won this prestigious tournament. 

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So, fans are already expecting them to continue that trend and pressure has started to pile on. Meanwhile, It will be Virat Kohli’s fourth ODI World Cup as he was a part of that winning squad in 2011. Recently, in a conversation during a promotional event, Kohli opened up on fans’ expectations regarding the mega event. He also compared the pressure between the 2011 World Cup and this upcoming World Cup. The former skipper also claimed that fans should always remember that a player would always like to win a trophy more than anyone. 

“When difficulty comes in front of you get excited.” - Virat Kohli

Kohli said: "The pressure is always there. The fans always say we want (the team) to win a cup very badly. I’d like to say not 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." 

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"I remember the amount of pressure there was on all the players during the 2011 World Cup. Thankfully there was no social media back then. It would have been a nightmare, honestly," he further added. Kohli has scored 1030 runs so far in 26 innings in three ODI World Cups, at an average of 46.81. He has six fifties and two centuries to his name. So, Kohli was seen claiming to welcome the World Cup with the same excitement in order to another level.

"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," Virat Kohli concluded.

Here is how fans have reacted:

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Pehle hi haar manke beth gaye hai😓

— DIKSHA (@Tiredrcbfan) August 28, 2023

You will make us proud in this wc King 😊👑

— Saurav (@saurav_viratian) August 28, 2023

King 👑

— Peaky Balvinder (@peaky_balvinder) August 28, 2023

Sahi Kaha Bhai Koi Harna Nahi Chahta hai 🇮🇳🇮🇳

— Life in Siddharth nagar (@lifeinUP55) August 29, 2023

Kohli is only hope for india in world cup..

— भाई साहब (@Bhai_saheb) August 28, 2023

Won't give u trophies

— Sia⋆ (@siappaa_) August 28, 2023

Last chance for Virat to step up on the international stage. It’s NOW or NEVER!

— Pratik (@fake_engineer7) August 28, 2023

Why I’m feeling like they have already given up? 🙄

— Mr. J (@imjivesh) August 28, 2023

Absolutely ❤️❤️

— vikrant bhargav (@vikrantbhargav) August 28, 2023