Virat Kohli: A Leader Who Embodies the New India in Cricket
In an environment where comparisons are inevitable, Virat Kohli has rejected the label of being the “most Australian of the non-Australians”. Instead, the player identifies as a representative of a “new India”, one that faces challenges with courage. Kohli’s reception in Australia has been unprecedented. Former Test players, newspapers, and television channels have focused on Kohli and the impact his absence will have on the three Test matches he will not play.Kohli, for his part, feels comfortable being himself. “I have always been myself,” Kohli said. “My personality and character are a representation of the new India. That’s how I see it. I don’t see it as a comparison to the Australian mentality or anything like that.” “For me, it’s about how we’ve started to excel as an Indian cricket team. My personality has always been like this since day one. This is a representation of the new India, where we want to face challenges and move forward with optimism and positivity, making sure we are prepared 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’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 anticipation and conversations about wanting to see you play. Similarly with Jasprit Bumrah. Last time he performed very well here. Obviously, there will be anticipation and excitement around him to see him bowl. Similar to me, I have 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. Our focus remains on that. All external things are not under our 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. This is true for the man who will take over the team’s leadership when Kohli leaves. Ajinkya Rahane has a completely different personality than Kohli, but the India captain promised a similar intensity once he leaves. “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 the team needs. 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 whole team. It’s a cultural effort and not just mine, who strategizes things and puts them in front of people. It’s the whole team that has joined in. They already know the scheme with which we play and how we want to do things. We are absolutely on the same page.” “I’m sure he’ll also do a tremendous job in my absence, but the focus remains on the time I’m 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 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.”
