Kohli recalls Tendulkar's telephone call ahead of U-19 World Cup final

Dubai, Dec. 25 (ANI): On this week's ICC Cricket World audio show, former India U-19 captain Virat Kohli recalls the most special telephone call he received on the eve of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2008 final against South Africa.

Kohli, who led India to victory in Malaysia last year, said: "Ahead of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup final, everyone back home was overwhelmed and believed we had a very good chance to win the trophy.

"Therefore, I started getting more telephone calls with everyone advising me to relax and not to panic, which actually put more pressure on me.

"However, the most special telephone call I received was from Sachin Tendulkar who was on the tour to Australia with Team India. He talked to me at length and advised me how I should approach the final."

Reflecting on the mood in the dressing room after South Africa bowled out his side for 159, Kohli said: "I just told the boys that we have nothing left in the tournament except one last session. So, let's go out there and give all we have. We took the field to defend the small total with that killing instinct and rest is history." (ANI)