Virat Kohli recently revealed the one cricket match he most wanted to experience as a player. The former India captain said that he would have loved to be a part of India’s famous ODI clash against Pakistan during the 2003 Cricket World Cup, calling it a special moment in cricket history.
The match between India and Pakistan took place at Centurion Park, South Africa during the group stage of the 2003 World Cup. India chased down the target of 274 to register a memorable six-wicket win over Pakistan, with Sachin Tendulkar producing one of the most iconic innings of his career.
I would prefer to be at the non-striker end – Virat Kohli on Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic innings
Speaking on a podcast for his lifestyle brand One8, Virat Kohli revealed that he would have loved to be a part of India’s famous 2003 World Cup match against Pakistan. The former Indian captain said that he wished he could have shared the crease with Sachin Tendulkar during his most memorable innings.
“It’s quite difficult to answer. I would probably say the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. Centurion. I would have loved to bat with Sachin Paaji, when he hit the shot off Shoaib, and the way he batted that day, it brought me back to reality, wow, you know, this is the level I want to reach. I would love to be at the non-striker’s end,” Virat Kohli said.
Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic 98 against Pakistan remains a World Cup classic
Sachin Tendulkar scored a brilliant 98 runs off 75 balls in the 2003 World Cup match against Pakistan at Centurion. This innings remains one of the most memorable moments of the game in ODI history, when Tendulkar countered Shoaib Akhtar with a series of spectacular boundary shots.
Tendulkar hit a famous upper-cut for a six over point, then flicked it down the leg side for four and crossed the boundary with a straight drive on the next ball. Three consecutive fours put India on the front foot and took the pressure off chasing the target.
India were facing a strong pace attack from Pakistan which included Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar. Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag opened the batting and gave India a great start while chasing the target of 274 runs.
Although Akhtar dismissed Tendulkar later in the innings, the damage was already done. India successfully chased the target and achieved a memorable victory by six wickets.
Virat Kohli is recovering from hamstring injury before England series
Virat Kohli is currently recovering from the hamstring injury he sustained during the IPL 2026 final on May 31. The injury occurred while he was playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium and has ruled him out of India’s ongoing ODI series against Afghanistan.
Kohli ended the IPL 2026 season with a match-winning inning of 75 runs off 42 balls during the final. The experienced batsman finished the tournament with 675 runs in 16 matches at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.85.
He scored five half-centuries and one century, helping Royal Challengers Bangalore win their second IPL title. Kohli is expected to recover in time for India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against England.