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

In a tone reminiscent of the Australian attitude, Virat Kohli has rejected the label of being the “most un-Australian Australian”. Instead, he identifies as a representative of a “new India” that “takes on” all challenges. The reception Kohli has received on this tour of Australia is unprecedented. Former test players, newspapers, and television stations only talk 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.” 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 me being similar to the Australian mentality or something like that. For me, it’s how we have started to stand up for ourselves as the Indian cricket team. And my personality has always been that way from day one. This for me is 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.”

Virat Kohli

Kohli acknowledged that Australia, as a country, embraces those who succeed on its lands.

“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 about wanting to see you play. Similarly with Jasprit Bumrah as well. The last time he performed very well here. Obviously, there will be expectation and excitement around him 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. The focus remains on that. All external things are not under the control of the team. That’s great for the publicity of the series, but the real focus and simply 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 take all the attention. This is true for the man who will take over the team when Kohli leaves. Ajinkya Rahane has a completely different personality from Kohli, but the Indian 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 need to do things. Actually, the way we have played our cricket has been a collective effort of the whole team. It is a cultural effort and not just mine, who is structuring things and putting 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. I am sure he will also do a tremendous job in my absence, but the focus will remain until the moment I am here to provide the captaincy, leadership and performances as a player as best as I can and, from then on, I am pretty sure Jinks will do a tremendous job. I have already said before that I feel this is his moment to step up and perform strongly as an individual and also as a captain”.

Virat Kohli