Batting stalwart Virat Kohli on Sunday said he is consciously backing a counterattacking approach early in his innings rather than waiting for the game to drift, after his fluent 91-ball 93 laid the foundation for India’s four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first One-Day International. Kohli was adjudged Player of the Match for his masterly knock, which anchored India’s successful chase of a stiff 301-run target and underlined his evolving mindset at the No. 3 position.

Early aggression sets the tone

Speaking after the match, Kohli explained that his approach has changed over time, especially while batting at No. 3, where he often walks in when the situation is still delicate. Instead of merely stabilising the innings, the 37-year-old said he now prefers to put immediate pressure on the opposition.

“Honestly, if we were batting first today, I would have probably gone harder. Because there was a total on the board, I had to buckle down and play the situation. But I was feeling like I wanted to hit more boundaries,” Kohli said.

He added that counterattacking soon after the fall of a wicket can shift momentum decisively. “The basic idea is I batted at number three, so if the situation is a bit tricky, I backed myself to counter-attack now rather than just trying to play the situation in. Because some ball has your name on it. So there’s no point waiting around for too long,” he explained.

Partnership after Rohit’s wicket proves decisive

Kohli walked in after the dismissal of opener Rohit Sharma and immediately looked to assert himself. He revealed that pushing hard in his first 20 deliveries was a conscious decision aimed at unsettling the New Zealand bowlers.

“I just felt that if I push hard in the first 20 balls, we can string together a partnership straight after a wicket like Rohit’s. That’s when the opposition goes on the back foot, and that ended up being the difference in the game,” he said.

Kohli’s innings was marked by controlled aggression rather than reckless strokeplay. While he found the boundary regularly, he also ensured that India did not lose wickets in clusters, a factor that proved crucial while chasing a challenging target under pressure.

Record-breaking milestone, but focus remains elsewhere

The innings also saw Kohli achieve a major personal milestone. He became the fastest player to reach 28,000 international runs across formats, getting there in his 624th innings. The landmark came via a four off New Zealand leg-spinner Adithya Ashok.

Sachin Tendulkar had reached the same mark in his 644th innings, while Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara, the only other batter in the 28,000-run club, did so in 666 innings. Kohli now stands second only to Tendulkar in overall international run-scoring.

Despite the achievement, Kohli insisted milestones are no longer at the forefront of his mind. “If I’m being brutally honest, the way I’m playing right now, I’m not thinking about the milestones at all,” he said.

Gratitude over records and comparisons

Reflecting on his journey, Kohli struck a philosophical note, emphasising gratitude over records. “Honestly, if I look back at my whole journey, it’s nothing short of a dream come true. I’ve always known my abilities, but I had to work a lot more to get to the place I am today,” he said.

“God has blessed me with way too much for me to complain about anything. So I feel nothing but gratitude. I always look back at my whole journey with a lot of grace and a lot of gratitude in my heart, and I feel proud about it,” he added.

Kohli also spoke about the emotional connect he shares with fans across venues. “You can give so much happiness to so many people by just doing what you love to do, which is play the sport you’ve always loved as a child. What more can I ask for? I’m literally living my dream and making people happy,” he said.

Crowd reactions and sportsmanship

The former India captain also addressed the crowd’s loud cheer when he walked in to bat following Rohit Sharma’s dismissal. While acknowledging fans’ excitement, Kohli admitted such moments can be uncomfortable for the batter heading back to the pavilion.

“I honestly don’t feel good about it if I have to be honest. Same thing happens with MS. I don’t think that it’s a good feeling for the guy going out. So I do feel bad about it,” he said, while adding that crowd reactions are part of the game.

Praise from the skipper

India captain Shubman Gill was full of praise for Kohli, acknowledging the ease with which the senior batter is making tough conditions look manageable. “It’s tough to start on these pitches. Tough to replicate what he does. Hope he keeps piling on runs,” Gill said.

Conclusion

Kohli’s innings against New Zealand was not just another match-winning knock, but a reflection of a batter who has adapted with time, blending experience with controlled aggression. As India take a 1–0 lead in the ODI series, Kohli’s form and mindset offer reassurance that even as records accumulate, his primary focus remains on impact and team success.