Kohli: “My personality represents 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 “takes on” all challenges. The reception Kohli has received on this 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.” Kohli, however, feels comfortable being himself. “First of all, I would like to say that I have always been myself,” Kohli stated. “The way my personality and character are, I think it’s a representation of the new India. And that’s how I see it. It’s not so much in my mind a comparison to me being similar to the Australian mentality or something like that.” “For me, it’s about how we’ve started to stand out as the Indian cricket team. And my personality has always been like this from day one. This is for me a representation of the new India, where we want to take on challenges and move forward with optimism and positivity and make sure we are prepared for any challenge that comes our way.” 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,” Kohli said. “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. The same goes for Jasprit Bumrah. The last time he performed very well here. Obviously, there will be expectation and excitement around him to see him bowl. The same goes for me, I’ve been coming here for many years.”

“For us, the most important thing is that the general public wants to see India perform as a team, which was also the highlight of our last tour. Our goal remains that. All external things are not under our control. That’s great for the publicity of the series, but the real and simple goal is 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 charge of the team when Kohli leaves. Ajinkya Rahane has a completely different personality to Kohli, but the India captain promised 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 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 entire 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 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’ll also do a tremendous job in my absence, but the focus is 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 said it before, I feel this is his moment to step up and perform strongly as an individual and also as a captain.”