Virat Kohli: The Representative of a “New India” in Cricket
In a tone that evokes the Australian passion for sport, Virat Kohli has rejected the label of being the “most Australian non-Australian”. Instead, the cricket player identifies as a symbol of a “New India”, which faces all challenges with courage. 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 in which he will not participate.Kohli, however, feels comfortable being true to himself. “I have always been myself,” Kohli affirmed. “The way my personality and character are, I think it’s a representation of New India. And that’s how I see it. It’s not a comparison to the Australian mentality or anything like that.” “For me, it’s about how we’ve started to stand out as the Indian cricket team. And my personality has always been like this from day one. This is for me a representation of the New India, where we want to take on challenges and move forward with optimism and positivity, and make sure we are prepared for any challenge that comes our way.” Kohli also acknowledged that Australia, as a country, welcomes with open arms those who succeed on its soil. “I’ve been touring this place for many years, and it’s 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. The same goes for Jasprit Bumrah. The last time he performed very well here. Obviously, there will be anticipation and excitement to see him bowl. The same goes for me, I’ve been coming here for many years.”Kohli is the most Australian non-Australian cricketer of all time.
Greg Chappell
The team’s main focus, according to Kohli, is the public’s desire to see India perform as a team, something that was the highlight of the last tour. “All external things are not under our control. That’s great for the series’ publicity, but the real and simple goal is how well we can perform as a team here.”
Knowing the Indian team, the other players will be happy to go unnoticed and let Kohli take all the attention. This is especially true for the man who will take over the team’s leadership when Kohli leaves. Ajinkya Rahane, who has a completely different personality from Kohli, promises similar intensity once the captain is gone. “We have had a lot of understanding and mutual respect over the years,” Kohli said of his vice-captain. “We have had great batting partnerships 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 approach things.” “Actually, the way we’ve played our cricket has been a collective effort of the whole team. It’s a cultural effort and not just mine, where I strategize and present things to people. It’s the whole team that has joined in. They already know the template we play with and how we want to do things. We are absolutely on the same page.” “I’m sure he’ll also do a tremendous job in my absence, but the goal remains that, while I’m here, I offer captaincy, leadership, and performances as a player in the best possible way, and from then on I’m pretty sure Jinks will do a tremendous job. I’ve said before that I think it’s his time to step up and perform strongly as an individual and also as a captain.”
