Virat Kohli: Only India vs Pakistan World Cup Match Can Match Wimbledon’s Pressure
Former India captain Virat Kohli, known for his calm under pressure, has admitted that very few moments in cricket come close to the intensity of playing on Centre Court at Wimbledon. During his appearance at the iconic venue on Monday (July 8), where he watched Novak Djokovic face Alex de Minaur in the Wimbledon Round of 16, Kohli opened up about pressure, composure, and how tennis and cricket compare on the grandest stages.
Kohli, speaking to Star Sports commentator and former tennis ace Vijay Amritraj, said that cricket stadiums — even when packed — don’t necessarily feel as intimidating for batters because of the distance between players and fans.
“It’s a lot of pressure because there are so many people in the stadium,” Kohli said. “But I’d say that it’s not as intimidating as the Centre Court because of the distance people are sitting from you. When we are batting, the crowd is far away, so you get lost in your space. You don’t hear the cheers or boos right in your ears unless you’re fielding on the boundary.”
However, Kohli emphasized that the pressure level in tennis, especially in crunch points, is unparalleled.
“Here, everything can change with a single point. The pressure tennis players feel from the quarter-finals onwards is tremendous,” he said, praising the mental and physical resilience required by tennis athletes.
India vs Pakistan: The Exception
Kohli drew parallels between Wimbledon’s mental stress and one of cricket’s biggest spectacles — the India vs Pakistan World Cup clash. He noted that the overwhelming pressure and emotional stakes of those games are similar to what tennis players experience at Wimbledon.
“The intimidation factor in cricket is only replicated in very high-stake matches — like an India-Pakistan World Cup match or a semi-final or final. That’s when your legs start to shake from the pressure. Otherwise, we’re able to manage it in most matches.”
Kohli, who recently retired from T20Is and Tests, remains a stalwart in India’s ODI setup. His performances against Pakistan in ICC tournaments have been spectacular:
- ODI World Cups: 209 runs at 52.25
- Champions Trophy: 224 runs at 112
- T20Is: 488 runs at 81.33
What’s Next for Kohli?
Kohli’s Wimbledon appearance was his first major public outing after the tragic stampede in Bengaluru during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory parade. Though he has stepped away from Tests and T20Is, the 35-year-old is expected to feature in ODIs later this year when India’s white-ball schedule resumes around October.
In the meantime, fans were delighted to see Kohli engaging with other global sports icons and paying tribute to the mental strength required in elite-level tennis.
“I have a lot of respect for tennis players,” he concluded. “To maintain composure, focus, and fitness across five sets — it’s truly remarkable.”
Kohli’s reflections once again show why he is not just a cricketing great but a sporting icon who appreciates excellence across disciplines.
