Virat Kohli has never shied away from expressing his admiration for some of cricket’s greatest moments, and the former India captain recently reflected on one such occasion that continues to hold a special place in his memory. Widely regarded as one of the finest batters of the modern era, Kohli revealed that there is one iconic cricketing moment he wishes he could have experienced firsthand as a player.
The 37-year-old, who is currently recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the IPL 2026 final. The veteran batter missed India’s ODI series against Afghanistan but is expected to return in time for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England after enjoying another outstanding IPL season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Virat Kohli picks Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic World Cup masterclass
Speaking on the YouTube channel of his lifestyle brand One8, Kohli’s response quickly grabbed the attention of cricket fans, offering a glimpse into the match that inspired him during his formative years. He revealed that the 2003 World Cup match between India and Pakistan at Centurion would be his choice. The match in question was India’s famous clash against Pakistan during the 2003 ODI World Cup in South Africa, a contest remembered largely for a breathtaking innings by Sachin Tendulkar against a world-class bowling attack.
“That’s quite a difficult one to answer. I’d probably say the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, Centurion. I would have loved to be batting with Sachin Paaji when he hit that shot off Shoaib and the way he batted that day. That really knocked me into the reality of, ‘Woah, this is the level I want to get to.’ And I would love to be at the non-striker’s end,” Kohli said.
The innings remains one of the most celebrated knocks in ODI World Cup history. Chasing 274, Tendulkar took the attack to Pakistan’s formidable pace trio of Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, giving India early momentum in a high-pressure contest.
Tendulkar’s 98 continues to inspire generations
One of the defining moments of the innings came when Tendulkar upper-cut Akhtar over point for a stunning six, a shot that has since become part of cricket folklore. The Indian legend followed it up with consecutive boundaries, instantly shifting the pressure onto Pakistan and energising millions of fans watching around the world.
Although Tendulkar fell for 98 off just 75 deliveries, his aggressive start had already laid the foundation for victory. India eventually chased down the target with six wickets in hand, securing one of their most memorable World Cup wins against their arch-rivals.
The tournament itself was a remarkable one for Tendulkar. He finished as the leading run-scorer with 673 runs in 11 innings, including six half-centuries and one century. While India eventually lost to Australia in the final, Tendulkar’s performances throughout the competition remain among the finest individual campaigns in World Cup history.
