Kohli: “My personality represents the new India” in cricket

Virat Kohli: A Leader Who Embodies the New India in Cricket

In a statement that resonated in the cricket world, Virat Kohli rejected the label of “the most Australian of non-Australians.” Instead, the player identified himself as a representative of a “new India,” a team that faces all challenges with determination. Kohli’s reception in Australia has been unprecedented. Former test players, media, and television stations are only talking about Kohli and the impact his absence will have on the three test matches.

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

Greg Chappell

Kohli, however, was comfortable being himself.

First of all, I would like to say that I have always been myself. The way my personality and character are, I think it is a representation of the new India. And for me, that’s how I see it. It’s not so much in my mind a comparison to being similar to the Australian mentality or anything like that.

Virat Kohli

For Kohli, this represents how the Indian cricket team has begun to stand up for itself. His personality has always been like this from day one, which for him is a representation of the new India, where they want to take on challenges and move forward with optimism and positivity. Kohli acknowledged that Australia, as a country, opens its arms to those who do well on its shores. “I have been touring this place for many years and it is a wonderful place to play cricket,” Kohli said. “When you perform 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 was here he performed very well. Obviously, there will be anticipation and excitement around him to see him bowl. Similarly with me, I have come here for many years.”

For the team, the most important thing is that the general public wants to see India perform as a team, which was the highlight of their last tour. Their focus remains on that. All external things are not under their control. That’s great for the series’ publicity, but the real focus and simply remains on how well they can perform as a team here. Knowing the Indian team, the others will be happy to go unnoticed and let Kohli take all the attention. That is the case of the man who will take charge of the team when Kohli leaves. Ajinkya Rahane has a completely different personality from Kohli, but the India captain promised a similar intensity once he leaves. Kohli spoke about his vice-captain. “We have had a lot of understanding and mutual respect over the years. We have had great partnerships batting 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 should do things.” Actually, the way they’ve played cricket has been a collective effort from the whole team. It’s a cultural effort and not just mine, where I strategize and present things to people. The whole team has bought into it. They already know the template we play with and how we want to do things. We are absolutely on the same page.” Kohli is confident that Rahane will do a tremendous job in his absence, but the focus remains, until the moment he is here to provide captaincy, leadership and performances as a player to the best of his abilities, and from that moment he trusts that Jinks will do a tremendous job. He has said before that he feels this is his moment to really step up and perform strongly as an individual and also as a captain.