IND vs AFG: Something I Never Felt Would Happen To Me - Virat Kohli On Playing In Front Of Pavilion Named After Him

The upcoming match between India and Afghanistan will be a special one for Virat Kohli. The match is scheduled to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, a venue that is very close to the Indian batting superstar’s heart.

It was at this very venue that it all started for him. The upcoming game is set to be his last World Cup game in Delhi, his home ground. Virat Kohli was a part of the Indian team that faced the Netherlands in the 2011 World Cup at this famous venue. On that occasion, he had failed to do well and was out for 12.

More than 12 years after that game, Virat Kohli is returning to the venue as one of the biggest names in the game and would be looking to come up with a special knock.

What makes the upcoming game even more special is that Virat Kohli will be playing in front of a pavilion named after him. In 2019, the former India skipper was honoured with the naming of a pavilion stand after him at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Virat Kohli on playing in front of Virat Kohli pavilion:

Having already played a number of times in front of the pavilion named after him, Virat Kohli has now opened up about the experience. In a recent video posted by BCCI where he could be seen talking to his teammate KL Rahul, the India batting superstar was asked about the experience of facing bowlers near a pavilion named after him.

In reply, Virat Kohli said: “For me, that is the stadium where I grew up playing age group, Ranji cricket. I also played for India there. Those memories stay fresh in your mind. You can feel it because that is where everything started, selectors saw you for the first time and gave you an opportunity.

“It is special to go back and play at Arun Jaitley Stadium. We used to practice in B grounds and watch Ranji teams practice in the main grounds. It is awkward for me to be playing in front of a pavillion named after me. I do not like to talk about it a lot. But it is a great honour and I feel happy and grateful about it, it is something I never felt would happen to me,” added the 34-year-old.

The match between India and Afghanistan is scheduled to take place on Wednesday (October 11). India began their campaign with a 6-wicket win over Australia and would be looking to extend their winning start against Afghanistan who suffered a loss against Bangladesh in their World Cup opener.