Kohli: “My personality reflects the new India”, denies being ‘Australian’

Virat Kohli: The Representative of a New India

In an environment charged with expectations, Virat Kohli has rejected the label of the “most un-Australian Australian”, preferring to define himself as a symbol of a “new India”. An India that faces challenges with determination and optimism. The reception Kohli has received in Australia has been unprecedented. Former Test players, media, and television stations have focused their attention on Kohli and the impact his absence will have in the three Test matches he will not play.

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

Greg Chappell

Kohli, true to his style, has expressed his own perspective. “I have always been myself,” he affirmed. “My personality is a representation of the new India. For me, that’s how I see it. It’s not a comparison with the Australian mentality.” Kohli’s focus is on how the Indian cricket team has risen and faced challenges. “My personality has always been like this from day one. This is a representation of the new India, where we want to face challenges and move forward with optimism and positivity.” Kohli acknowledged that Australia, as a country, welcomes those who perform well on their soil. “I have been touring this place for many years and it is a wonderful place to play cricket. When you perform well here, you earn the respect of the public.”

The Indian team’s focus, according to Kohli, is on collective performance. “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 and simple focus remains on how well we can perform as a team here.” Aware of the attention Kohli attracts, the team prepares for other players to shine. Ajinkya Rahane, who will assume leadership after Kohli’s departure, has a different personality but promises the same intensity. “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, 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 our team’s strengths and how we need to do things.” Kohli emphasized the team’s collective effort. “The way we have played our cricket has been a collective effort from the entire team. It’s a cultural effort and not just me structuring things and putting them in front of people. It’s the whole team that has been involved. 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 on the time I’m here to provide captaincy and leadership and performances as a player as best as I can and, from there, 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 also as a captain.”