Virat Kohli: A New India in International Cricket
In an attitude that evokes the Australian spirit, Virat Kohli has refused to be labeled as the “most Australian non-Australian.” Instead, he prefers to define himself as a representative of a “new India,” which faces all challenges with determination. The reception Kohli has received on this tour of Australia has been unprecedented. Former Test players, newspapers, and television stations have focused their attention on Kohli and the impact his absence will have on the three Test matches he will not play.Kohli, however, feels comfortable being himself. “I have always been myself,” Kohli affirmed. “My personality and character reflect the new India. That’s how I see it. It’s not a comparison with the Australian mentality. For me, it’s how we have begun to stand out as the Indian cricket team. My personality has always been like this from the beginning. This represents the new India, where we want to accept challenges and move forward with optimism and positivity.” Kohli acknowledged that Australia, as a country, welcomes those who succeed on its soil. “I have been touring this place for many years, and it is 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 comments about wanting to see you play. Similarly with Jasprit Bumrah. 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 have 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 focus and simply 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 over the team’s leadership when Kohli leaves. Ajinkya Rahane has a completely different personality than Kohli, but the India captain promised similar intensity once he leaves. “We have had a lot of understanding and mutual respect over the years,” Kohli said of his vice-captain. “We have had great batting partnerships 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.” Actually, the way we’ve played our cricket has been a collective effort from the entire team. It’s a cultural effort and not just mine, but it involves the whole team. You 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 on the time I’m here to provide captaincy, leadership, and performances as a player to the best of my abilities, and from then on I’m pretty sure Jinks will do a tremendous job. I’ve said before that I feel this is his moment to really step up and perform strongly as an individual and also as a captain.”
