"My motto has never been to chase excellence"- Virat Kohli's shocking admission on 16th anniversary of international cricket

As the cricket world celebrates 16 glorious years of Virat Kohli's international cricket journey, the former Indian cricket team captain has reflected on his mindset and process that make him a true legend of the game.

Kohli’s journey is more than just a tale of runs and records, as it is a testament to relentless pursuit and unmatched dedication and passion for the game. From his debut on the international stage to becoming one of the most iconic figures the game has ever seen, Kohli’s story is one of constant evolution.

I don't know what the definition of excellence is: Virat Kohli

His journey is not merely about the milestones he's achieved but about the unyielding spirit that drives him every single day. Kohli’s commitment to bettering himself with each practice session and each match has set him apart from other players of his generation. It is not just his talent, but his greedy desire to improve is one of the rare qualities that show Kohli’s greatness.

However, India’s batting superstar doesn’t know the exact definition of excellence, saying it is certainly not about setting the achievements. The dashing right-hander said that he has always sought to push beyond the ordinary despite achieving a lot in his illustrious career. His pursuit of "betterment" over "excellence" defines his approach to the game, and the philosophy of continuous self-improvement over resting on past achievements drives him to contribute to Team India’s success.

Virat Kohli said on Star Sports: “I have been trying to improve myself every day, every practice session, every year, every season. That has helped me to play for so long and to give performance to the team. I don't think you can perform consistently without that mindset."

"Because if your performance is your only goal, then after a while you can be satisfied and stop working hard. My motto has always been to chase betterment, not excellence. Because I don't know what the definition of excellence is. It doesn't have a limit; it doesn't have a set achievement.”

I try to go towards betterment every day: Kohli

Furthermore, Kohli noted that every inning he plays and every practice session he endures is driven by a mindset to enhance his performance, not just for personal accolades but to lift his team to new heights. Kohli’s focus on making the team win rather than just individual achievements highlights his deep commitment to the game, his team, and his love for the game.

His legacy is built on the relentless drive to be better every day, and his cricketing journey of continuous improvement and passion inspires countless fans and aspiring cricketers across the world. Kohli reiterated that he always wants to win the games for India, and it makes him a better player.

Kohli signed off by saying, “When you reach here, you have achieved excellence. I think I try to go towards betterment every day. So that is a better word to use, and yes, performance obviously becomes a by-product. Because you have a mindset of how I can make the team win from here. This will make me a better player. This will put the team in a better position if I perform well. I have always had this mindset.”

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What does #KingKohli strive for? What makes @imVkohli the 'greatest of all time'? 🏏

Let's hear from the man himself as today, we mark #16YearsOfVirat in international cricket!

What about Virat inspires you the most? ✍️👇 pic.twitter.com/TMfLWwmek0

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 18, 2024