[Watch] "I take an afternoon nap" - Virat Kohli opens up on his T20 routine

Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli recently spoke about his iconic unbeaten knock of 82 runs against Pakistan in Melbourne during the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Recalling how he got ready for the crucial encounter, Kohli mentioned that he made himself breakfast and coffee before heading to the gym. The seasoned campaigner also revealed that he likes to take an afternoon nap on matchdays in T20 cricket.

During an interview with Star Sports, Kohli said:

"I woke up at 7:30 or 8 and made myself a couple of cups of coffee and breakfast. Surprisingly, I was getting into a routine before every game. I used to go to the gym for mobility exercises, stretches, and stuff. In T20 cricket, I take an afternoon nap."

Chasing a tricky 160-run target, India found themselves in a precarious position as they were reeling at 26/3 at one stage. To make matters worse, there was a mix-up between Virat Kohli and Axar Patel, resulting in the latter getting run out.

Talking about the run out and India's position, Kohli said:

"I had not expected that we would lose four wickets so early. I said sorry to Axar; it was my fault. It was spiralling down even further. Looking at the batting lineup, you generally think, 'Who's left now'. I could not understand what was happening. There was a run out, and we were 4/45, and I was batting on 12 off 21 balls. It couldn't be worse than this."

The 35-year-old disclosed that he found an opening after he saw the Pakistani fielders argue over something on the field. He suggested that it was the right time for him to up the ante, adding:

"My first words to him (Hardik Pandya) were let's build a partnership. I very keenly look for a moment where people are arguing over something on the field. That is the time I usually try to capitalise. We had taken the game deep, and this was the time when we needed to capitalise. We got back-to-back fours, so we were on the right track."

Virat Kohli added a stunning 113-run stand alongside Hardik Pandya for the fifth wicket, giving India a glimmer of hope. However, the pressure was still on the chasing team, as the equation came down to 31 off 12 balls.

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"He had bowled the best for them in that match" - Virat Kohli on Haris Rauf

Pakistani speedster Haris Rauf was tasked with the responsibility of bowling the all-important 19th over. Virat Kohli stated that while he wanted to score 20 runs in that over, he knew it was an imposing ask.

Kohli added:

"You'd want to score 20 in that over. But realistically, he had bowled the best for them in that match. He bowls at 145 kmph and has a good bouncer and a yorker. You can set a target, but then reality hits you that the person in front might not let you do that very easily. I was talking to myself. I said something like, 'Come on Cheeks, you have to hit two sixes.'."

Rauf started brilliantly, giving away just three runs from the first four balls. But Kohli rose to the occasion, smashing an awe-inspiring six down the ground, which was later rated as the shot of the century by the ICC.

Kohli followed it up with another six, bringing India back into the game. Rohit Sharma and company ultimately completed a famous four-wicket win following a dramatic last over from left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz.

Sharing details of how he felt following the victory, Kohli said:

"It was amazing! Even if I dreamt about something like this, I cannot make it any more perfect. The messages I received after the match, one constant thing people kept telling me was, 'You don't know what you have done.'. So when I spoke to Anushka as well the next day, she said, 'You don't know how much happiness you've given to everyone.'."

Virat Kohli will next be seen in action during the second T20I of the ongoing three-match home series against Afghanistan. The match will be played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday, January 14.