NEW DELHI: When the runs India needed to win were near idential to the runs Virat Kohli required to get to his century in the ICC World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune on Thursday, the self-less batting icon approached his parnter in the middle, KL Rahul, and said "it will not look nice to not take a single" in pursuit of a personal milestone.
Rahul shared the conversation he had with Kohli on the official World Cup broadcast after India completed their fourth consecutive win of this World Cup by seven wickets.
The conversation highlights the self-less approach Kohli has to his cricket, putting the team and the country first.
"He was confused actually. He said 'It will not look nice to not take a single. It's still a World Cup, still a big stage. So I don't want to look like I want to get to the milestone (century)'," Rahul said talking to Sanjay Manjrekar after the match.
Rahul then shared his reply to Kohli after the batting icon appeared in two minds.
"I said '(I know) it (the match) is not won, but we will still win this quite easily. So if you can get to the milestone, why not! You must try'," said Rahul.
Kohli did that in the end, getting to his 48th ODI century with a six, which also signalled India's victory. En route to his 78th international hundred, the former India captain also became the fastest to 26,000 international runs.
The victory put India level on points with New Zealand, who are identically unbeaten after playing four matches in the tournament but ahead of India on net run rate.
