"We did it for Sachin; you do it for Virat": Sehwag
AS A MOTIVATION to the Indian team to win the upcoming Cricket World being hosted in the country this year, former India opener, Virender Sehwag, asked the players to focus on winning the trophy for Virat Kohli.
Drawing inspiration from its last World Cup triumph, India is looking to win the upcoming tournament for Virat Kohli like the batch of 2011 won it for Sachin Tendulkar, feels Sehwag.
India were crowned champions in 2011 on home turf, winning the final against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Ahead of the tournament in 2011, it was widely believed that it would be legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar's final World Cup, with the team giving it all to lift the coveted trophy for the maestro in his sixth attempt.
Virat Kohli was a part of the squad in 2011 and lifted Sachin over his shoulders while the team embarked on a victory lap at the Wankhede Stadium after the win. Kohli has also successfully taken over the mantle of leading India's batting unit after Sachin's retirement but is yet to taste glory after 2011, with India tasting defeat on the semi-final stage in 2015 and 2019.
Speaking at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 schedule launch event, Sehwag said, "We played that World Cup for Tendulkar. If we won the World Cup, it would have been a great exit for Sachin paaji. Virat Kohli is the same now. Everybody will look to win the World Cup for him. He always gives more than 100 percent.
"I think Virat Kohli is also looking to this World Cup. 100,000 people will watch you at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Virat knows how the pitches will behave. I am sure he will score a lot of runs and he will do his best to win the World Cup for India."
