XtraTime Web Desk: Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli recalled the day when Team India under MS Dhoni lifted the 2011 World Cup by beating Sri Lanka in the big final at Wankhede Stadium on April 2. With this win Men in Blue again lifted the World Cup Trophy after 28 long years. Beside that Kohli has another match in his memory and that was 2016 World T20 quarterfinal which was played against Australia in Mohali on March 27, where the run machine scored an unbeaten 82 which helped the side to clinch a six-wicket win over the Aussies and with that they reached the semifinal of the tournament.
“Apart from the 2011 finals, my other favourite match from the atmosphere and importance of the game point of view would be the 2016 T20 quarterfinal against Australia in Mohali,” Kohli said while speaking on a Star Sports show.
However, India had to face a crushing seven-wicket defeat at the hands of West Indies in the semifinal.
The cricketing activities at the moment remain suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has wreaked havoc across the world.
Kohli, one of India’s most prolific batsmen, has admitted the “magical” atmosphere will be missing if the cricket season, currently stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic, resumes in empty stadiums.
“It’s quite a possible situation, it might happen, I honestly don’t know how everyone is going to take that because we all are used to playing in front of so many passionate fans,” Kohli said.
“Things will still go on, but I doubt that one will feel that magic happening inside because of the atmosphere that was created.
“We will play sports how it is supposed to be played, but those magical moments will be difficult to come by,” he added.
He, however, believes playing without fans in attendance would not dampen the competitive side of matches.
“I know matches will be played at a very good intensity,” he said. “But that feeling of the crowd connecting with the players and the tension of the game where everyone goes through it in the stadium, those emotions are difficult to recreate,” he added.