Chase Master Kohli Opens Up On His Mindset While Chasing Totals For Team India

"When it comes to chasing targets, my mental state is simple -- if someone says something to me from the opposition side, then I get more motivated", said Kohli

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 05: Virat Kohli of India bats during game one of the One Day International Series between New Zealand and India at Seddon Park on February 05, 2020 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

New Delhi: India skipper Virat Kohli is widely regarded as the best with the willow when it comes down to chasing herculean targets for the 'Men In Blue'. Nicknamed the Chase Master for his forte at hunting down big totals and taking the team across the victory line with effortless ease, the Indian skipper on Monday gave an insight into his mindset whenever he goes out to bat while chasing targets for the national team in 50 overs cricket.

Kohli was doing a Facebook live chat with Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal where he was asked to talk about his mindset during run chases.

"When it comes to chasing targets, my mental state is simple -- if someone says something to me from the opposition side, then I get more motivated. When I was younger, I used to watch matches on television. If India did not end up winning the match while chasing targets, I used to think if I was there, I would have won the match," Kohli said.

"Chasing is a situation where you know how many runs you have to score. For me winning is important. While chasing I think I can walk out not out. At that time I think I can make the team win. If the target is 370/380, I never feel like that it cannot be done," he added.

The 31-year-old Kohli also throwed light on how he paced his innings to set up the chase against Sri Lanka in Hobart when India had to chase 330 odd runs in 40 overs to qualify for the finals.

"There was a game in Hobart against Sri Lanka, where we had to chase 330 odd in 40 overs to qualify for the finals. I discussed with Raina that we will set up the chase as if we are playing two T20 matches," Kohli said.

The Indian skipper has arguably the best record while chasing targets for his side. He has scored more ODI centuries when India bats second to chase down totals in ODIs and he enjoys an outstanding average during run-chases.

Over the years, the comparisons between Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar keep growing and many have picked the current Indian skipper to break the records set by Tendulkar.

Tendulkar called time on his career after registering 100 international centuries, while Kohli has 70 centuries across all formats.