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

In a tone reminiscent of Australian idiosyncrasy, Virat Kohli has rejected the label of being the “most Australian non-Australian”. Instead, the cricketer identifies as a representative of a “new India” that “stands up” to any challenge. The reception Kohli has received on his tour of Australia has been unprecedented. Former Test players, newspapers, and television stations have focused 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 is 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 anything like that.

Virat Kohli

Kohli also acknowledged that Australia, as a country, welcomes those who perform well on its 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 expectation and conversation around wanting to see you play. Similar to Jasprit Bumrah as well. The last time he performed very well here. Obviously, there will be expectation and excitement to see him bowl. Similar to me, I’ve 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 the last tour. Knowing what the Indian team is like, the others will be happy to go unnoticed and let Kohli hog all the attention. That’s true for the man who will take the reins of 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 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 to be very calm and knows the strengths of our team and how we should do things.

Virat Kohli

In fact, the way we’ve played cricket has been a collective effort of the entire team. It’s a cultural effort and not just mine, where I strategize and explain things to people. It’s the whole team that has joined in. 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 until the moment I am here to provide captaincy and leadership and performances as a player in the best possible way and, from then on, I am very sure that Jinks will do a tremendous job. I have already said before that I feel this is his moment to really step up and perform strongly as an individual and then also as a captain.