Kohli: 15,000 runs is a big number, but the goal is only to win matches

Talismanic batter Virat Kohli on Sunday said milestones have never been his focus and that he is excited to ‘unlock a new version’ of himself at this stage of his career, after becoming only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to complete 15,000 ODI runs.

The 37-year-old, who got to the landmark faster than anyone in men’s ODI, smashed an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls – his 55th ODI ton - as India beat West Indies by eight wickets in the first ODI here at the Greenfield International Stadium to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

"Well, my focus has never really been on these milestones, so to say. It's just understanding the situation along the course of just doing the job for the team, whatever. Achievements come along. Obviously, I feel very grateful and very blessed to be in this position for having played for so long. zeppelin.cool

“Just keeping my head down, working hard, and thanking God for everything that I've been blessed with and the opportunities that I've gotten in my life to be where I am. We have a very blessed life and a blessed journey because so many people want to be here, but we get to be the lucky ones. So, we better put our head down and just work hard every day of our lives," said Kohli in a chat with broadcasters at the conclusion of the game.

Kohli, who now plays only ODIs for India, said the key to his recent consistency in the 50-over format lay in staying fit and mentally fresh. "I think just the understanding of the game firstly, also at the stage that I'm at - just keeping myself physically very fit, because the game's more or less in the mind.

“I've never been a guy who practiced a lot, even when I was playing all three formats, as you know. So it's just for me about staying mentally fresh, staying in the present moment and just expressing myself really out there to play in a certain way, get used to this template more often."

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The former captain said he had set himself the task of batting at a higher tempo in ODIs. "I've got a challenge at this stage of my career to kind of up the ante and play a gear or two higher, and that was exciting for me to work on. Again, it excites you when you have to unlock a new version at this stage of your career, which will eventually help any team that you play for, be it playing for India or in the IPL.

"It's really helped me a lot to play with a free mind, and I think that's what's working for me. But I think to follow a free mind, you need a fit body. So for me it works the other way around. I stay physically fit and then I'm able to visualize the game in the way that I want to play, which allows me the best chance to go out there and execute in the way that I did tonight."

Asked about his state of mind, Kohli spoke of the gratitude he feels for his journey. "I'm just very grateful and happy, to be honest. Like, it's the only thing we need to do is just look back once and, where we came from. That's something that we tend to forget when we are caught up with the hustle of the world and the positions we get into with so much attention and fame and so much love from the fans.

"It can be very easy to forget where you came from. But I think just looking back at the journey from when you started as a child just makes you feel grateful. I enjoy each and every minute that I'm out there playing for India, because I understand that, as I said, I could have been a possibility that I wouldn't be standing here. I wouldn't have played for India at all. That could have been my reality as well.

"But I'm getting to live all these amazing moments representing my country, playing in front of such big crowds and doing the job for the team. As a cricket player, this is all that I dreamt of, and I'm getting it. So I have nothing but gratitude in my heart, and, as I said, I just want to put my head down, keep working hard, put a smile on my face, and hopefully make other people smile too," he explained.

Kohli also had a message for young players who look up to him. "It's a fact which we don't want to face as athletes, that even if everything ends after this game, you have to play the way you want to play the game and you have to remind yourself that every time you go out to play.

“That unlocks that positivity, that taking a risk, that unlocks that mindset which helps you to win games for your team. That's the only advice I would give to the young guys: don't think a lot about all the other stuff outside of the field. Once you enter the ground, this is everything, and it should be everything for you guys and just put your body on the line.

"As I said, put your head down. If you have to run four doubles in an over when you're batting at 150, you have to do it. There are no excuses. So if they play like that, then you should be fine," he added.

With the 2027 ODI World Cup a year away, Kohli said playing a single format had given him clarity about his goals. "Also clarity - I mean, we're a year away from the World Cup. I know what my goal is, and it's pretty clear for me that whatever games we get, I just need to keep working on different aspects of the game, keep myself physically fit, challenge myself to be out there, run from boundary to boundary in the last 15 overs if I can, field in the inner ring, show intensity.

"If I keep ticking all those boxes, as I said, I've got some time left to play in this format as well, and yeah, I just want to enjoy every day. So when I get an opportunity, I feel happy rather than feeling anxiety or pressure to make the most of it.

"I just want to express myself and play my game. As I said, I promised myself I'm going to play positively because I can. So I'm going to continue to play like that, but not be reckless. There's a fine line which, as a professional, as an experienced player, I should have the ability to execute in this way without playing reckless shots and get the team through," he added.

Kohli, who added 151 for the second wicket with skipper Shubman Gill (110), was full of praise for his captain. "There's a reason why he's leading the team. He's got the right perspective, as I said, to look at the game in the way that making the team win from different situations. When you play with a guy like that, it's not very difficult to string in a partnership, because he knows what needs to be done, I know what needs to be done.

"You could have a conversation here and there based on your experience in terms of the areas we could probably hit, but he's the top ODI batter in the world. There's not much that needs to be said to him. It's just about stringing in partnerships and making sure we do justice to the ability and the talent we have in this team.

“He's probably up there with the best players in the world and obviously a very talented guy. So not having to say much to him while batting. In the field, when he needs my help, I'm always available," he concluded.

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World Number 1, Esha Singh, fought through a tense women’s 25 m pistol final to secure silver for India at the Asian Games 2026. The 21-year-old showed tremendous composure through a closely-contested final which involved multiple shoot offs and stayed in contention for the gold medal till the very last shot. In an exclusive conversation with Boria Majumdar on RevSportz, post this fantastic win, Esha Singh and her coach, Ronak Pandit, reflected on the silver medal performance, the nerves and pressure they had to manage during the finals and the expectations that now lie ahead.

Boria: Esha, I will have to start with you. Five shoot offs! I have watched this sport for several years, and haven’t really seen something like this. You were in the middle fighting for an Asian Games Gold. How on earth could you keep calm?

Esha( laughs)– Yeah, even I have never seen something like this in the last ten years. But I think my silver was just meant to be memorable; to make me feel like I earned it. Yes, in that moment, it was not easy at all, I had a lot of nerves, my heartbeat was through the roof. But I think it showed me my capabilities and the fact that I can handle pressure, no matter what.

Ronak: Ronak, same question, when all of these shoot offs were going on, what were you doing? Each one of us watching the final was feeling nervous. What was really going through your mind?

Ronak: So, I just did not want her to give up because it is very easy to realise that it is getting too tough and just mentally give up. But, towards the end, it was a very humbling experience for me because we all were able to see the quality of her performance. Plus, we are able to talk about it and appreciate it now just because it got converted into a medal. Just imagine if despite doing whatever she did, the other athlete had managed to get one more hit, all of Esha’s performance would have gone down the drain. Which should not happen.

Boria: People keep bringing up the topic of mental fragility among Indian athletes. Esha was in fourth position. She needed five out of five hits to move up the ladder and keep herself in the medal bracket which she did manage to do. Esha, could you talk us through that part of the final please?

Esha: I honestly did think about it and told myself that from here, every shot has to be perfect. I did not care If I came out fourth but I wanted that series to be really good. If I do come out, I want to come out with grace.

Boria: Ronak, three and a half boiled eggs , two bananas, multiple car rides with Esha sleeping in the back seat while you were navigating the directions. Give me the back story.

Ronak: So, today, I told Esha one thing before the qualification, ‘that it’s you who has put in the effort, it’s you who has spent the sleepless nights, it’s you who has hit the gym, it’s you who has made multiple sacrifices including not being able to spend time with friends. Now, it is time for you to decide whether you want to make it count or not’. In life, no matter what it is, if you think something is a problem, then it is a problem. I always tell Esha that there are perhaps far more talented people on this planet but where we excel is our ability to be flexible, our ability to adapt and our ability to rise when the going gets tough. All the time saved by adapting was then spent in the recovery part, in the gym part. So, the car rides were all about conversations and figuring out what she is thinking or feeling because all the athletes present here are technically ready. It is just about the mental aspect.

Boria: Esha, after the 10m pistol debacle, when you did not make the finals and the fact that you came in here with a big reputation of being one of the best in the world, people had started to say multiple things. Can you tell us what you did in the last few days to come out of that and deliver this performance? What were you going through?

Esha: I think it made me realise that for people, I am just a medal prospect but I had to remind myself that I don’t play for anybody but myself. They don’t know me, they don’t know what I go through and I know that the reason I chose this sport is because I have a deep passion for it and I am good at it. And I came to this realisation after the match because of certain treatments and certain conversations that I overheard. I was actually bold enough to go through that because I know that I play only for myself.

Boria: Ronak, what was the celebration like? Where did you take her out for a good Japanese meal?

Ronak: We went out for a very protein rich meal, made fun of each other, had a good time, booked a return train ticket and then missed the train. So, I think the Japanese goof up continues.

Boria: Ronak, one last question. She has clearly demonstrated what she can do under pressure, the entire country knows that by now. But keeping that in mind, we have the World Championships in November in Doha and the LA 2028 Olympics, is that the ultimate goal now?

Ronak: Yes, there is going to be some planning on my part because she has demonstrated that she is ready. So, the planning would be just to ensure that it stays like this. Oh, and by the way, Esha had a 101 temperature, she showed me once she came back. So that was there even at the range. Willpower is everything.

Boria: Absolutely Esha, you are leaving in a few hours, get some rest. Many congratulations and once again, we are very proud of what you have been able to achieve.

( Transcribed by Mohor Chaudhuri)

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The post “I don’t play for anybody but myself”: Esha Singh’s Powerful Response After Asian Games Silver appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.

By Vivek Prabhakar Singh

New Delhi [India], September 29 (ANI): Mirabai Chanu on Tuesday expressed her delight after returning to New Delhi with a silver medal from the Asian Games 2026, saying she had waited years for the achievement.

Chanu secured the silver medal in the women’s 49kg weightlifting category at the Asian Games in Japan, adding the continental medal to an already decorated career that includes an Olympic medal, a World Championship medal and three Commonwealth Games gold medals.

“I am overjoyed. I had been waiting for this day for years. I already had an Olympic medal and a World Championship medal, and I was a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist. But this was the ultimate dream for us; it was incredibly important to me, and now I’ve finally secured it. I’ve added the Asian Games medal to my collection, and having achieved something for India and for weightlifting, I am absolutely delighted," Chanu said after arriving in New Delhi on Tuesday morning.

The 32-year-old lifted a combined 198kg, with successful attempts of 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk. North Korea’s Ri Song Gum won gold with 215kg, while Wijayana claimed bronze.

Reflecting on her preparation, Chanu said the Asian Games were particularly important for her after she suffered an injury during the previous edition.

“We trained very well. These Asian Games were crucial for me because I had suffered an injury during the previous ones. So, this was my best opportunity to prove myself. The preparation routine didn’t change much; we stuck to the same methods we had been using before," she said.

The medal ended a long wait for Chanu at the Asian Games. She had narrowly missed the podium at Hangzhou 2023 after an injury forced her to withdraw from her final clean and jerk attempt, leaving her fourth.

The 32-year-old entered the Aichi-Nagoya Games after winning gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She is also a three-time Commonwealth Games champion and won Olympic silver at Tokyo 2020.

With her maiden Asian Games medal, Chanu became the second Indian weightlifter after Karnam Malleshwari to win medals at the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, Asian Championships and Commonwealth Championships.

Born in Nongpok Kakching, Manipur, Chanu began formal weightlifting training in 2008 and went on to establish herself as one of India’s leading weightlifters.Chanu said the team was determined to make the most of the opportunity and had a clear strategy for the weights she would attempt during the competition.

“We were determined not to let this opportunity slip away. We went onto the stage with a clear strategy regarding the weights, deciding exactly what to attempt and where to start… We simply focused more on the specific weight combinations we might face and planned accordingly…" she added. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

The former Ireland international ED Joyce has been appointed as the men’s high-performance batting coach. Joyce, who has played for both Ireland and England, will begin in his role immediately.

He will return to the Cricket Ireland board after six years as Ireland women’s coach. Taking charge of the women’s team in 2019, he oversaw a period of development and improved the side’s performance before stepping down as head coach in February 2025.

He will now be working alongside Ireland men’s head coach Gary Wilson and High Performance Director Graeme West.

Joyce said continuing his involvement with Irish cricket had been a priority since his playing retirement and that his experience with the women’s side had reinforced his interest in working closely with players on their technique and mindset.

“The modern game has changed and evolved greatly in recent years, and whether it’s the men’s or women’s side of the sport, several fundamentals have held,” said ED Joyce.

“Despite the power game coming to the fore, having a sound technique and a positive mindset are still crucial aspects for any batter at this level.”

“When I look at the Ireland Men’s side over recent years, it’s obvious to see the amount of hard work that has gone on behind-the-scenes in preparing our players to be competitive on the international stage.”

“I look forward to getting involved in this work and perhaps adding some insights and knowledge to push the batting group forward. The talent is there, the goal is now consistency,” concluded ED Joyce.

“Whether as player or coach, Ed Joyce has been an absolute asset to Irish cricket and we are delighted to have him return to our coaching ranks,” said Cricket Ireland high performance director Graeme West.

“He was an outstanding and technically renowned batter during his playing days, and his coaching abilities were on full display during his stint as Ireland Women’s head coach. With a busy off-season approaching, Ed’s appointment is timely, and he will begin working with the players immediately.”