Kohli Reflects on Pressure: Cricket vs. Tennis

Former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has drawn a parallel between the intense pressure of playing cricket before large crowds and the experience of watching live tennis at Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

Kohli suggests that the renowned tennis venue, due to its close proximity between spectators and players, and the relentless point-by-point tension, can feel more daunting than even the most significant cricket matches—with a few exceptions, like India versus Pakistan in a World Cup.

Kohli attended the Men’s Round of 16 match featuring Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur on Monday, marking his first public appearance after the recent tragic incident in Bengaluru during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL celebrations.

Speaking with Vijay Amritraj of Star Sports at Wimbledon, Virat Kohli offered his perspective on managing pressure in cricket compared to the sport of tennis.

Kohli’s Perspective

“There is considerable pressure due to the large number of people present. However, I don’t believe it is as intimidating as Centre Court because of the distance between the fans and the field,” Kohli stated.

“When batting, you can somewhat detach—tuning out the cheers, jeers, and direct remarks. This mainly occurs when fielding near the boundary. Even then, the pressure isn’t solely on your individual performance at every moment,” he elaborated.

The right-handed batsman further explained the demanding nature of tennis and conveyed his admiration for tennis athletes.

“Here [in tennis], each point is crucial. A single instant can alter the course. The strain these competitors endure, particularly at Centre Court, must be significant. I deeply respect tennis players; their composure, physical condition, and mental fortitude are truly commendable,” he remarked.

The former India captain acknowledged that cricket comes closest to this level of intensity during critical matches such as India-Pakistan clashes in the World Cup.

“It’s similar to high-stakes contests like an India-Pakistan World Cup game, a semifinal, or a final, where the tension is palpable. Tennis players likely experience this level of pressure from the quarterfinal stage onwards,” he added.

Known for performing well under pressure, the 36-year-old has a notable record in major games, especially against Pakistan. In ODI World Cups, he has accumulated 209 runs against them, averaging 52.25.

In the Champions Trophy, he has amassed 224 runs at an impressive average of 112, while in T20Is, he has scored 312 runs with a strike rate of 132.76.

Kohli recently retired from T20 internationals after a standout performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup final.

He also announced his retirement from Test matches earlier this year in May but is expected to continue in ODIs. India’s next scheduled 50-over matches are in October.

India and Pakistan have played 136 ODIs, with Pakistan leading with 73 wins to India’s 58.

In T20Is, India dominates with 10 wins in 13 matches, while Pakistan has won three times.