World Cup is exciting, but Test is ultimate dream

If consistency is the benchmark to be a part of India's World Cup squad, Virat Kohli should arguably lead the pack.

If consistency is the benchmark to be a part of India's World Cup squad, Virat Kohli should arguably lead the pack. And with Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag opening the innings, Kohli will lose his number three spot to Gautam Gambhir, but the Delhi boy is least worried.

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The fastest Indian to reach 1000 runs - in 24 innings - Kohli is just "too excited" to just be in the thick of things, even if that means batting at any position. In a chat with Hindustan Times, the 22-year-old tries to put into word this "unbelievable feeling".

You have been the captain of one World Cup [Under 19, 2008] winning team. How different does it feel to be a part of this World Cup squad?

It's unbelievable. I actually sit down sometimes and think that I'm actually going to play a World Cup! I have put in a lot of hard work, and I still have to. But at the moment, it's a very special feeling and I'm extremely excited.

If Gambhir comes in at No.3, a position you have been successful at in recent times, where do you see yourself in the line-up then?

Truly speaking, just being in the team for this tournament is big enough. Rest, it doesn't matter where I get to bat. I'm comfortable at any position I may be asked to go in.

How much have you evolved as a player after the South Africa series?

The basics are same. I still play the ball on merit. But yes, with each match, I try not to repeat the mistakes that I have done in the earlier ones.

Do you see yourself in the Test squad soon?

I surely have a dream of playing Tests for India. That's my ultimate aim. Hope it happens soon.

You seem to be enjoying while chasing down a target…

If you have a target in sight, it's much easier to go about your business. But I guess, more than that, I love batting under the lights.

According to Kapil Dev, it'll be disrespect to the other team members if India's World Cup campaign is attributed as a tribute to only Tendulkar. What do you feel?

No, I don't think so. It's not actually disrespect to the other 14 guys, but a befitting respect to him [Tendulkar]. The kind of service he has given to the game, he totally deserves whatever the team is planning if it wins the World Cup.