Virat Kohli: The Representative of a “New India” in Cricket
In a tone that evokes the Australian spirit, Virat Kohli has rejected the label of being the “most un-Australian non-Australian”. Instead, the cricket player prefers to identify as a representative of a “new India”, which 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 in the three test matches he will not play.Kohli, however, feels comfortable being himself. “I’ve always been myself,” Kohli said. “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 to my 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 acknowledged that Australia, as a country, welcomes those who succeed 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.” 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 the last tour. The focus remains on that. All external things are not under control. That’s great for the publicity of the series, but the real and simple focus remains on how well we 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’s true for the man who will take over 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. “We have had a lot of understanding and mutual respect over the years,” Kohli said of his deputy. “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 approach things.” Actually, the way we’ve played cricket has been a collective effort of the entire team. It’s a cultural effort and not just mine, where I strategize and put things in front of people. It’s the whole team that has joined in. They already know the model we play with and how we want to do things. We are absolutely on the same page.” “I’m sure he’ll do a tremendous job in my absence, but the focus remains until I’m here to provide captaincy and leadership and performances as a player in the best way possible, and from then on I’m pretty sure Jinks will do a tremendous job. I’ve already said before that I feel this is his moment to really step up and perform strongly as an individual and then also as a captain.”“Kohli is the most Australian non-Australian cricketer of all time.”
Greg Chappell
