Kohli: “My Personality is the New India” in Australian Cricket

Virat Kohli Rejects “Most Un-Australian Australian” Nickname

The renowned cricket player, Virat Kohli, has rejected the label of being the “most Australian non-Australian”. Instead, he identifies as a representative of a “new India” that faces all challenges with determination. The reception Kohli has received on this tour of Australia has been unprecedented. Former Test players, newspapers, and television stations have focused on Kohli and the impact his absence will have on the three Test matches he will not play.

Kohli is the most Australian non-Australian cricketer of all time.

Greg Chappell

Kohli, however, feels comfortable being himself.

I’d like to say that I’ve always been myself. The way my personality and character are, I think it’s a representation of the new India. And that’s how I see it. It’s not a comparison of me being similar to the Australian mentality or anything like that. For me, it’s how we’ve started to stand up for ourselves as the Indian cricket team. And my personality has always been like that from day one. This for me is a representation of the new India, where we want to take on challenges and move forward with optimism and positivity and make sure we’re prepared for any challenge that comes our way.

Virat Kohli

Kohli also acknowledged that Australia, as a country, embraces those who succeed on its lands.

I’ve been touring this place for many years and it’s a wonderful place to play cricket. When you play well here, you earn the respect of the public. Obviously, there will be anticipation and conversation around wanting to see you play. Similarly with Jasprit [Bumrah] as well. The last time he played very well here. Obviously, there will be anticipation and excitement around him to see him bowl. Similar to me, I’ve been coming here for many years.

Virat Kohli

For the India team, the most important thing is that the general public wants to see the team perform, which was the highlight of their last tour. Their focus remains on that. Everything external is not under their control. That’s great for the series’ publicity, but the real and simple focus remains on how well they can perform as a team here. The Indian team is ready for Kohli to take all the attention. This is also valid for the man who will take over the team’s leadership when Kohli leaves. Ajinkya Rahane, who has a completely different personality from Kohli, promised similar intensity when Kohli leaves.

We have had a lot of understanding and mutual respect over the years. We have had great partnerships playing together, which are based on trust and understanding of what is needed for the team. Jinks has done a tremendous job in the two practice matches. He seems to be very calm and knows the strengths of our team and how we need to do things. Actually, the way we have played our cricket has been a collective effort of the whole team. It is a cultural effort and it doesn’t just depend on me to strategize and present things to people. It’s the whole team that has bought into it. They already know the squad we play with and how we want to do things. We are absolutely on the same page. I am sure he will also do a tremendous job in my absence, but the focus remains on the time I am here to provide captaincy, leadership and performances as a player in the best possible way and, from then on, I am pretty sure Jinks will do a tremendous job. I have already said before that I feel this is his moment to really step up and perform strongly as an individual and also as a captain.

Virat Kohli