'I Lacked Professionalism..': Kohli Makes Big Confession While Reflecting On Cricketing Journey Ahead Of 35th Birthday

Virat Kohli Birthday: The star India batter will turn 35 on November 5, the date which coincides with India's World Cup 2023 clash against South Africa.

Virat Kohli of India during a nets session at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Lucknow, India.

Source : Getty Images

Star India batter Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the best batters in the current generation. He is even being considered by many as a contender for a place in the list of all time greats despite him being far from done. Kohli has been in fine form in ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 and a lot of India's chances depend on his form as the team looks set to secure a place in the semifinals.

"My only focus was that I should perform well for the team, and win games for the team from difficult situations," Virat Kohli who will turn 35 on November 5 told Star Sports, the official broadcasters of the continental tournament.

"For that I made quite a few changes along the way regarding discipline and lifestyle. I always had the drive in me, but I lacked the professionalism. Now I have a single-minded focus on how I want to play the game, and after that the results I’ve achieved is from playing that way itself. The game recognises effort," Kohli stated further.

Elite mindset 💯

Watch #King @imVkohli share how his journey so far unfolded!

Tune-in to #INDvSL in the #WorldCupOnStar
THU, NOV 2, 12.30 PM onwards | Star Sports Network#CWC23 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/ErV0MpU6o8

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 31, 2023

Kohli will have to take the fied on his birthday as India take on South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on that day which will be a crucial game, given the likelihood of both these teams meeting each other in the knock-out round, later in the competition. The right-handed batter would like to make his birthday memorable while playing yet another match-winning knock and help India get closer to their dream of lifting the World Cup.

The ex-India captain has had experience of lifting the trophy once as a youngster when India beat Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final but since then the team has failed to repeat the feat and haven't won a single world title since 2013. With six wins in a row, the hosts look in the mood to break the jinx but their real test will come when they play the knockouts.