Virat Kohli on the verge of equalling Sachin Tendulkar's ODI hundreds record

Star Indian batter Virat Kohli said on Tuesday that he had never imagined amassing so many runs and hundreds when he started his career, and he was on the verge of matching Sachin Tendulkar's record number of ODI hundreds.

With one century and three half-centuries in six games during the current ODI World Cup, Kohli has been in outstanding form at the bat. He fell one wicket short of Tendulkar's world record on October 19 when he scored 103 not out against Bangladesh in Pune, making it his 48th ODI century.

"If we talk about cricket, I had never thought of achieving all, as in where my career is and how god has blessed me (with) such a career span and performances," Kohli said in an interview with Star Sports.

"I had always imagined myself doing this, but I never imagined the exact course of events that would lead to this. These things, the course of your journey, and the events that unfold in front of you are all beyond human control.

"I never imagined that in these 12 years, I would score so many hundreds and runs."

He claimed that at one point in his career, he realized he was lacking in professionalism and that he had to change his "discipline and lifestyle."

"My only goal was to contribute to the team's success and win games despite challenging circumstances. I changed my lifestyle and discipline quite a bit along the way to achieve that.

"I've always been driven, but I wasn't very professional. I now play the game with a single-minded focus, and the outcomes I've attained are a direct result of playing that way," he continued.

2008 Indian debutant Virat Kohli stated that the game always appreciates the effort a cricketer puts forth. The game honors hard work. To be honest, that is the lesson I have learned from my work. I have played cricket by giving it my all on the field, and the blessings I have received from it have come from God. I never imagined the course of events that led to this," he remarked.

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The next game for India is on Thursday in Mumbai versus Sri Lanka.