Virat Kohli: A Cricket Icon Who Embodies the New India
In a statement that resonates strongly, Virat Kohli has rejected the label of being the “most Australian non-Australian”, preferring to define himself as a representative of a “new India”. An India that stands up to challenges. The reception Kohli has received during this tour of Australia has been unprecedented. Former test players, newspapers, and television stations have focused their conversations on Kohli and the impact his absence will have on the three test matches he will not play.Kohli, however, is satisfied with his own identity. “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 a comparison in my mind, as if it were similar to the Australian mentality or something like that. For me, it’s how we have started to stand out as the Indian cricket team. And my personality has always been like that from day one. This 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,” Kohli said. Kohli acknowledged that Australia, as a country, tends to embrace 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. Similar to Jasprit Bumrah. The last time he was here, he performed very well. Obviously, there will be anticipation and excitement around him to see him bowl. Similar to me, who has 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. That’s true for the man who will take charge of the team when Kohli leaves. Ajinkya Rahane has a completely different personality to 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 vice-captain. “We’ve had great partnerships batting together, which are 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 the strengths of our team and how we need to do things. Actually, the way we’ve played our cricket has been a collective effort from the whole team. It’s a cultural effort and not just mine, where I strategize and present things to people. It’s the whole team that has come together. They already know the squad 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 the captaincy, leadership, and player performances in the best possible way, 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 step up and perform strongly as an individual and also as a captain.”
