Virat Kohli, one of India's most celebrated cricketers, recently shared his profound feelings about singing the national anthem in a packed stadium. Representing the country on an international stage is a significant honor for any athlete, and for Kohli, this experience is unparalleled. He emphasizes that the unity and energy felt when the entire stadium joins in singing the national anthem are indescribable.
Ahead of their opening match against Ireland in the T20 World Cup, Kohli reflected on his first experience of this magnitude during the 2011 ODI World Cup. He mentioned that this was the first time he witnessed the national anthem being sung in a stadium, a moment that left a lasting impression on him. Kohli shared these thoughts through a video posted by the official broadcaster on social media.
Kohli said, "Whenever the National Anthem has been sung, especially in big tournaments, 2011 World Cup for me was the first exposure to it and when I experienced that atmosphere, I have never felt that sense of unity, united energy in one place ever. The force of it was something I have never experienced in my life. It gave me Goosebumps all over because everyone is singing and everyone is just focused on one goal that India has to win."
He further recounted India's journey to the final of the last year's ODI World Cup, where they faced Australia in Ahmedabad. Despite the loss, the memory of the national anthem being sung by a full house remains a powerful and emotional moment for him. Kohli elaborated on the intense energy and emotion that such moments bring, describing it as a force that he has rarely felt elsewhere.
"There is no other thought in anyone's mind at that stage. And that energy is so powerful that if you are tuned to it, if you are involved in it, you can feel the energy of the crowd. Literally, you can feel their emotions and their excitement and their tension as well when you sing the National Anthem," Kohli added.
Kohli's batting prowess was evident as he topped the charts with 741 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the latest edition of the Indian Premier League. Reflecting on his career, he highlighted some of the unforgettable moments when the national anthem was sung before major matches. These included the 2016 T20 World Cup in India and crucial matches against Australia at Eden Gardens and Mohali.
Virat Kohli
"I have had some amazing experiences. 2016 T20 World Cup in India again, Eden Gardens, Mohali against Australia. I have been a part of the National Anthem being sung many times but these few instances for me are just unforgettable because of the energy that it brought in the stadium," Kohli pointed out.
Kohli also reminisced about India's 2011 World Cup win, where a young Kohli carried cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on his shoulders during their victory lap. He described the feeling of having the force of so many people behind him, pushing towards victory, as a special and motivating experience.
In the ongoing T20 World Cup, India is set to face Ireland, Pakistan, the United States, and Canada in the group phase of the tournament. The excitement and national pride are palpable, and Kohli's reflections add a deeper layer of emotion and anticipation for the fans and the players alike.
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