Virat Kohli: The Embodiment of New India in Cricket
In an Australian sporting environment, Virat Kohli has refused to be labeled as the “most Australian non-Australian.” Instead, he prefers to identify as a representative of a “new India,” which faces challenges with determination.
The reception Kohli has received on this tour of Australia has been unprecedented. Prominent former test players, media outlets, and television channels 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 have always been myself,” Kohli declared. “My personality and character are a representation of the new India. That’s how I see it. It’s not a comparison with the Australian mentality.”
“For me, it’s how we’ve started to stand out as the Indian cricket team. My personality has always been like this from day one. This represents the new India, where we want to face challenges and move forward with optimism and positivity, making sure we’re ready for any challenge that comes our way.”
Kohli acknowledged that Australia, as a country, welcomes those who perform well on its soil. “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 expectation 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 expectation and excitement around him to see him bowl. The same goes for me, I have been coming here for many years.”Virat Kohli tiene varios asuntos que abordar antes de la serie de pruebas.Kohli emphasized the importance of India performing as a team. “For us, the most important thing is that the general public wants to see India perform as a team, which was the highlight of our last tour. Our focus remains on that. All external things are not under our control. That’s great for the series’ publicity, but the real focus and simply remains on how well we can perform as a team here.”
The Indian team seems willing to let Kohli hog all the attention. Ajinkya Rahane, who will take over the team’s leadership when Kohli leaves, has a different personality than Kohli, but the India captain promised similar intensity.
“We’ve had a lot of understanding and mutual respect over the years,” Kohli said of his vice-captain. “We’ve had great partnerships batting together, based on trust and understanding of what’s needed for the team. Jinks has done a tremendous job in the two practice matches. He seems very calm and knows the strengths of our team and how we need to do things.”
“Actually, the way we’ve played our cricket has been a collective effort from the whole team. It’s a cultural effort and it’s not just because I’m strategizing and presenting things to people. It’s the whole team that 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.”
“I’m sure he will also do a tremendous job in my absence, but the focus remains until the moment I am here to provide captaincy, leadership, and performances as a player in the best possible way, and from then on I trust that 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.”
