Kohli: “My personality represents the new India” – Alofoke Deportes

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

In a tone reminiscent of the Australian attitude, Virat Kohli has refused to be labeled as the “most Australian non-Australian”. Instead, the player prefers to identify as a representative of a “new India”, which stands firm in the face of any challenge. The reception Kohli has received on this tour of Australia has been unprecedented. Former Test players, newspapers, and television stations 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, 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 anything like that,” Kohli said.

Virat Kohli

For Kohli, this represents how the Indian cricket team has begun to assert itself. His personality has been like this since day one, and it is a representation of the new India, where they want to take on challenges and move forward with optimism and positivity. Kohli acknowledged that Australia, as a country, opens its arms to those who perform well on its soil. “I have been touring this place for many years and it is 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. Similarly with Jasprit Bumrah as well. The last time he was here he performed very well. Obviously, there will be expectation and excitement around him to see him bowl. Similarly to me, I have come here for many years.”

The team’s main focus is for the general public to want to see India perform as a team, which was the highlight of their last tour. All external things are not under their control. That’s great for the series’ publicity, but the real and simple focus remains on how well they can perform as a team here. Knowing how the Indian team is, 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 is 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 to be very calm and knows the strengths of our team and how we should do things,” Kohli said. The way they have played cricket has been a collective effort of the entire team. It’s a cultural effort and not just because he is strategizing and presenting things to people. It’s the whole team that has contributed. They already know the template they play with and how they want to do things. They are absolutely on the same page. Kohli is sure that Rahane will do a tremendous job in his absence, but the focus remains, until he is here, to provide captaincy, leadership and performances as a player in the best possible way. He is sure that Rahane will do a tremendous job. He feels that this is his moment to really step up and perform strongly as an individual and also as a captain.