• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Never Thought That Virat Kohli Opens Up On Asia Cup 2012 Knock Against Pakistan

'Never Thought That...': Virat Kohli Opens Up On Asia Cup 2012 Knock Against Pakistan 

image-llufzs2cVirat Kohli slams 183 vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2012 [X.com]

An inning that marked the arrival of Virat Kohli, the batter's 183 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2012 edition remains one of the best while chasing.

Needing a steep 330, Kohli singlehandedly led India's surge towards victory and steered the team effortlessly across turbulent waters, making the Pakistan attack look pedestrian.

With the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 upon us and with India opening their campaign against rivals Pakistan, all eyes are glued on Kohli, who has been a constant threat to the opposition.

Speaking to official broadcasters ahead of the all-important encounter, Kohli opened up on his momentous 183 and relived memories from the cherished knock. 

On 'Follow the Blues', the 34-year-old provided insights about how the innings was based more on instincts than planning. 

Here's what Kohli said

“I had never thought that I would score so many runs in an innings and that too while chasing - 183. That day I was in a different zone naturally. I had not planned anything and was just playing instinctively. As the match progressed, my zone became stronger. 

Later on, I realized that maybe I surprised myself a little bit. I felt like I can score hundreds, but to score 180 was a big thing for me, especially against a side like Pakistan with so much on the line on that game,”

The former India captain further rated this 183-run knock as most satisfying, given the occasion it came as the RCB player had not played much in India-Pakistan matches. 

"The most satisfying [knock] I would say was 183 because it was an Asia Cup match and India-Pakistan was a big game for me. I had not played too many India-Pakistan matches before that. At that time, I did not have that much idea about the build-up to the match,"

Kohli will be in action for India when they step on the field against Pakistan on September 2 in Palekelle. Currently, Kohli and other Asia Cup 2023 squad members are undergoing a six-day preparatory camp in Alur.