Virat Kohli: The “New India” and Its Impact on Cricket
In a context marked by expectation, Virat Kohli has refused to be labeled as the “most Australian non-Australian”. Instead, he prefers to identify as a representative of the “new India”, one that faces challenges with determination. The reception Kohli has received in Australia has been unprecedented. Former test players, media, and television channels have focused their attention on Kohli and the impact his absence will have in the three test matches he will not play.Kohli, however, feels comfortable being himself. “Firstly, I would like to say that I have always been myself,” Kohli said. “The way my personality and character is, I think it’s a representation of the new India. And for me, that’s how I see it. It’s not a comparison in my mind to being similar to the Australian mentality or anything like that.” “For me, it’s how we’ve started defending our Indian cricket team. And my personality has always been like this since 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 ready for any challenge that comes our way.” Kohli acknowledged that Australia, as a country, embraces those who are successful on its lands. “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 expectation and conversation around wanting to see you play. Similarly with Jasprit [Bumrah] as well. The last time he performed very well here. Obviously, there’s going to be expectation and excitement around him to see him bowl. Similar to me, I’ve been coming here for many years.”“Kohli is the most Australian non-Australian cricketer of all time”.
Greg Chappell
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 as well. 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.
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 similar intensity once he’s gone. “We’ve had a lot of understanding and mutual respect over the years,” Kohli said of his deputy. “We’ve had great partnerships batting together, which are 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 should do things.” Actually, the way we’ve played our cricket has been a collective effort of the entire team. It’s a cultural effort and not just mine, who strategizes things and puts them in front of people. The whole team has been involved. They already know the template with which we play 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 on the time I am here to provide captaincy, 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 said this before, I feel this is his moment to really step up and perform strongly as an individual and then also as a captain.”
