'How you motivate yourself in tough times defines you as a cricketer'

IMAGE: Virat Kohli of India during the recent ODI series against South Africa. Photograph: BCCI

Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli has said he never doubts himself in tough times.

"It is very difficult for people to understand that as a cricketer sometimes you enjoy batting really well and you go through those phases in your career where you know that your game is evolving and only you as an individual will know that.

"The outside world will not know that. Statistics and numbers are for people to compare and analyse and criticize and praise," he said.

IMAGE: Virat Kohli of India walks back after being dismissed during the recent ODI series against South Africa. Photograph: BCCI

The 26-year-old struggled, in the shorter format in particular, before finding form in the third (77) and fourth (138) ODIs in the just-concluded series against South Africa, the latter in a winning cause.

"I always make an effort to score runs for the team in a winning cause. That is what you play for.

"You have to motivate yourself in tough times and win tough games of cricket. That is what defines you as a cricketer," he added.