India batting legend Virat Kohli will be on cusp of a major record when he turns out in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 and the ODI World Cup 2023 tournaments, as he is just four centuries shy of breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time ODI tons’ record of 49.
With an impressive 46 ODI centuries to his credit, the 34-year-old batsman is tantalizingly close, just four centuries away from surpassing Tendulkar's record, which he set in 2013.
However, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa believes that Virat is a player who focuses on securing victories for his team and is not concerned about personal records anymore.
"Virat (Kohli) doesn't really care about breaking records anymore. We as people and fans are obsessed with it. He would much rather win matches for India irrespective of those hundreds. Virat's focus will be on winning matches for India in the Asia Cup and World Cup. He doesn't really care about the records.
Whether he (Virat) achieves that milestone (breaking Sachin's ODI centuries record) during the Asia Cup, World Cup or at any (other) point in his career, it doesn't matter because his sole focus is on winning matches for India, not his hundreds," Uthappa told Times of India.
He further called India favorites to win the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 which will be played at home from October 5 onwards.
One of the biggest assets for Indian team, Jasprit Bumrah will make his international comeback when he leads the Men in Blue in the three T20Is against Ireland shortly.
"A loss in the series will affect the team very much. This is a T20I series and India will be playing a lot of T20 cricket before the T20 World Cup next year. There will be a lot of preparations. If India can get to a place where they have a few games left before the World Cup (ODI WC), they will have a team finalised, they will have an assured 15 members finalised, and they will find themselves in a good position. India at home are definitely favorites," Uthappa said.
Uthappa also opined on which spinner he will pick in Indian squad for the ODI World Cup - Yuzvendra Chahal or Kuldeep Yadav or both.
"I would pick both Chahal and Kuldeep for the World Cup. Kuldeep is a much-improved bowler, and I would love to have him as an option in the team because every time he has got an opportunity, he has performed. He has performed out of his skin. I certainly think Kuldeep should also be an option. Kuldeep and Chahal are equally dangerous. Kuldeep and Chahal will be dangerous in the World Cup if given opportunities," Uthappa signed off.
(Times of India inputs)
