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

In a tone reminiscent of Australia, 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. The reception Kohli has received on this tour of Australia has been unprecedented. Former test players, newspapers, and television channels are only talking about 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

Kohli, however, is satisfied 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 that’s how I see it. It’s not so much in my mind a comparison with me being similar to the Australian mentality or anything like that.

Virat Kohli

For Kohli, this represents the way the Indian cricket team has begun to “face up”. His personality has always been like this, and for him, it is a representation of the new India, where they 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’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. The same goes for Jasprit Bumrah. The last time he performed very well here. Obviously, there will be anticipation and excitement to see him bowl. Similarly, I have been coming here for many years.

Virat Kohli

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 their last tour. Their focus remains on that. All external things are not under their control. This is great for the publicity of the series, but the real and simple focus remains on how well they can perform as a team here. Knowing the Indian team, the others will be happy to go unnoticed and let Kohli hog all the attention. This is also valid for the man who will take over the team’s leadership 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, 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 do things. The way we have played cricket has been a collective effort of the whole team. It is 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 squad we play with and how we want to do things. We are absolutely on the same page.

Virat Kohli

Kohli is sure that Rahane will do a great job in his absence. Kohli’s focus while he is here is to provide captaincy, leadership and performance as a player to the best of his abilities, and he is confident that Rahane will do a tremendous job. Kohli feels that it is Rahane’s time to really step up and perform strongly as an individual and also as a captain.