My match-winning hundred against Pakistan in WC was special : Kohli

Kohli revealed how it was the energy he derived from the frenzied crowds that inspired him to that masterful innings – a great start after a disappointing tri-series for the defending champions in the run-up to the World Cup.

"It was special," he said. "The game against Pakistan was also our first in the World Cup, so it was massive. We hadn't played well in the tri-series. I remember waking up the morning of the game and doing my preparation and opening the window of my room in Adelaide, and I see this bridge which connects the ground to the hotel and saw 3,000 people there with their musical instruments and flags and what not.

"It just hit me that I'll be in the stadium in three hours playing in front of these people. I saw the frenzy there. That's the fun of it. I challenged myself to go out there do the best I could, get big runs. I was able to do that and was happy about it," reported TNN.

Kohli earmarked the World Cup as the 'most special time of his career' despite India's loss in the semi-final to eventual champions Australia.

"From a team's point of view, the start is important when you want to achieve something. What we were able to do as a squad in Australia was special for me, not just the way I performed, but the whole team.

"The kind of cricket we played... it's probably the most special time of my life till now of my career, and it will remain so. I hope we can better that."

For once, the Indian bowling clicked and the team managed to bowl out oppositions in all their matches until that semi-final.

The swashbuckling batsman seemed all set to take on the Aussies in their home ground. "I can't wait. Everyone is suited up. The shoes are shining. I can't wait to get on the plane," he remarked to the Annual Award event emcee Harsha Bhogle about the prospect of meeting Australia on home soil.