Virat Kohli reveals 'change' with India star 'not feeling himself' before South Africa T20 World Cup win
Virat Kohli was the best player in the T20 World Cup final as India beat South Africa to win the prize
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Virat Kohli has revealed he 'wasn't feeling himself' prior to India's T20 World Cup win over South Africa on Saturday.
The 35-year-old hit a stunning 76 as his country won the trophy by seven runs in Barbados.
Kohli was the best player on the day, with the veteran announcing his retirement from T20 internationals in the aftermath of the contest.
He said the magnitude of the occasion 'promoted a change' within himself, while also revealing he was pessimistic before the clash.
Virat Kohli was the best player in the T20 World Cup final as India beat South Africa to win the prize
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However, he was jubilant after helping India win the trophy - and admits the feeling 'hasn't quite sunk in yet'.
"This was my last T20 World Cup and this is exactly what we wanted to achieve," he said.
"It was an amazing game. One day you feel like you can't get a run but one day, things just click.
"I am so proud to get the runs for the team the day it mattered most.
"The occasion prompted that change for me, I felt like it was now or never.
"We have wanted to lift a trophy for a long time. The occasion made me put my head down, respect the situation and play the innings that the team needed from me.
"It is time for the new generation to come through for India now.
"We have some amazing players coming through and they have to take this team forwards now.
"I wasn't feeling myself before today. I wasn't confident.
"So I am very grateful and humble right now. It has been difficult, so there are a lot of emotions.
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"It hasn't quite sunk in for me yet. It's an amazing day, I am so thankful."
India captain Rohit Sharma also spoke out, with the skipper paying tribute to Kohli and hailing his legacy.
"None of us doubted him. We know his quality. He has been at the top of his game for 15 years now," he said.
"Big players will step up in big occasions and he played a crucial knock today.
"It was a team effort to get to that total but we knew we needed someone to bat time and he did that perfectly, using all his experience."
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Virat Kohli hit a brilliant 76 as India beat South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup
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He added: "It is very hard to sum up what we have been through for three or four years. There has been a lot behind the scenes.
"So winning this game isn't just about what we did today, it's about those years, it's all that hard work.
"We've played a lot of high pressure games that we've been on the wrong side of. We now understand what needs to be done when the pressure is on.
"Today is the perfect example of what we can do with our backs against the wall. It was going South Africa's way but we wanted it so badly.
"To win a tournament, a lot goes on behind the scenes and I am so proud of all of my boys and the management for giving us the liberty and trusting in each one of us."
Virat Kohli was celebrated by India fans after shining against South Africa
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There were wild celebrations in both India and Britain after their World Cup trophy.
And whether they can retain the prize in 2026 remains to be seen.
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