Kohli: “My personality reflects the new India” in cricket.

Virat Kohli: A Leader Who Embodies the New India in Cricket

In a tone reminiscent of the Australian attitude, Virat Kohli has rejected the label of being the “most Australian non-Australian”. Instead, he prefers to identify as a representative of a “new India” that faces all challenges. Kohli’s reception on his current tour of Australia is unprecedented. Former Test players, media, and television channels have focused their conversations 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

However, Kohli feels comfortable being himself.

First of all, I would like to say that I have always been myself. The way my personality and character are, I think it is a representation of the new India. And for me, that’s how I see it. It’s not so much in my mind a comparison to being similar to the Australian mentality or something like that. For me, it’s how we have started to defend the Indian cricket team. And my personality has always been like that from day one. This for me is a representation of the new India, where we want to face challenges and move forward with optimism and positivity and make sure we are prepared for any challenge that comes our way.

Virat Kohli

Kohli acknowledged that Australia, as a country, welcomes those who perform well on their soil.

I’ve been touring this place for many years and it’s a wonderful place to play cricket. 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. Similarly with Jasprit [Bumrah] as well. The last time he performed very well here. Obviously, there’s going to be anticipation and excitement around him to see him bowl. Similar to me, I’ve been coming here for many years.

Virat Kohli

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 leaves.

We have had a lot of understanding and mutual respect over the years. 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 very calm and knows the strengths of our team and how we should approach things. Actually, the way we have played our cricket has been a collective effort of the whole team. It is a cultural effort and not just mine, which is the strategy of things and putting things in front of people. It’s the whole team that has bought into it. They already know the squad we play with and how we want to do things. We are absolutely on the same page. I am sure he will also do a tremendous job in my absence, but the focus remains until the moment I am here to provide captaincy and leadership and performances as a player as best as I can and, from then on, I am pretty sure Jinks will do a tremendous job. I have said this before, I feel that this is his moment to really step up and perform strongly as an individual and also as a captain.

Virat Kohli