No distractions, just destruction: Virat Kohli's mantra

Dubai: Virat Kohli, known for his composure under pressure, highlighted the significance of mental clarity in his game after steering India to a crucial victory and securing qualification.

Emphasising the importance of shutting out external distractions, Kohli said his focus remains solely on executing his role for the team.

"I have a decent understanding of my game; it is about keeping the outside noise away, staying in my space, and taking care of my energy levels and thoughts," Kohli said after India defeated Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy group-stage match here on Sunday.

"It is very easy to get pulled into expectations, but my job is to stay in the present and do a job for the team."

Kohli’s words reflect his approach to handling the weight of public and media scrutiny. Rather than being swayed by external opinions, he prioritises controlling what is within his reach.

"My keynotes to myself are to put my 100 percent into every ball in the field, and then God eventually rewards you," he remarked, underlining his belief in process over pressure.

His composed innings in the crucial fixture further illustrated this mindset. "It feels good to be able to bat in that manner in an important game to seal qualification," he said.

"Losing Rohit early meant I had to apply the understanding from the last game, control the middle overs against the spinners without taking too many risks, and accelerate when needed. Shreyas (Iyer) played a great role towards the end, which allowed me to play my usual ODI game."

Discussing strategy, Kohli credited Shubman Gill’s approach against Shaheen Afridi for setting the platform. "Shubman did well against Shaheen, took him up. There’s a reason he’s the number one batter in the world. It was necessary to get about 60-70 runs in the powerplay, or we’d always be chasing the game," he noted.

Kohli also praised Iyer’s evolving role at No. 4, saying, "Shreyas is really coming into his own. Did well in India, and now out here as well."

With India now advancing in the tournament, Kohli acknowledged the value of a brief break. "To be honest, at 36, it feels really good. Will put my feet up for a few days as it takes a lot out of me to put that kind of effort into every game," he said with a smile.

Despite the constant glare of expectations, Kohli remains steadfast in his process, proving once again why he thrives under pressure.