Virat Kohli says players shouldn’t fixate on records while recounting India’s loss to Pakistan in 2021.
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00:00There were Pakistani fans here, they had their own thing going on upstairs.
00:03I was like, bro, we're in the middle of the beach, don't cross us.
00:302021 was a reality, Virat.
00:40Everyone who knows cricket, knows the game,
00:42knew that one day it would come.
00:44One day, would come, the result would not go your way.
00:48You were the captain.
00:50It happened there.
00:51The 2021 match, Dubai, did it ever come across your mind?
00:55Very honestly, not at all.
00:56Look, records that are made over the years,
01:00they become a trend too, to be very honest.
01:03But you're playing a sport and human error is so big,
01:08in any sport.
01:10There is no guarantee on a given day that you will win.
01:14So, making so many attachments and expectations
01:18from a game, that the record shouldn't go bad,
01:21that I feel is unrealistic.
01:23We played well, we handled the pressure better for so many years,
01:26so we won.
01:27That day, Pakistan outplayed us,
01:30they handled pressure way more than us.
01:32And they deserved to win, thoroughly.
01:34There is no question, the match wasn't even close.
01:37So, I had processed it and accepted it immediately,
01:40that we were outplayed.
01:42If you lose such a quality side on the day,
01:46then there is no shame in accepting it.
01:50Before this match, or even in the Asia Cup,
01:52I didn't think that I have to avenge that loss.
01:57You can never play with such feelings.
02:00I think it was a good reality check for everyone.
02:03Apart from the players, because the players know
02:06how much pressure there is,
02:07and you won't be able to handle it every time.
02:09But for the spectators, it's a reality check,
02:12that the other team is also good,
02:15they have come to play, they have got an amazing team.
02:17This is where your practice pitches are.
02:19In India's practice, there were Pakistan's fans.
02:21In Pakistan's practice, there were India's fans.
02:23The match was going on in the practice as well.
02:25How different was this experience?
02:27I mean, I still remember, honestly,
02:30there were fans in the nets, upstairs as well.
02:33Upstairs as well.
02:34So, after every shot, they started playing drums.
02:37So, I had to tell them, guys, this is serious stuff.
02:40So, I explained everything to them.
02:42And I said, guys, please watch the practice,
02:44enjoy it, but don't interfere in it.
02:47Because it's a very important time for us.
02:50Absolutely.
02:51Your preparation should be good.
02:53Everything goes well.
02:54So, you go into the room with peace of mind,
02:56that I am ready.
02:57And as you said, there were Pakistan's fans here.
03:00Their own team was playing upstairs.
03:01I said, guys, don't interfere in it.
03:03Let us practice.