Virat Kohli defines himself: “My personality reflects the new India”

Virat Kohli: The Representative of a “New India” in Cricket

In a tone reminiscent of the Australian attitude, Virat Kohli has rejected the label of being the “most non-Australian Australian”. Instead, he identifies 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 channels have focused their attention on Kohli and the impact his absence will have in the three Test matches he will not play.

“Kohli is the most Australian non-Australian cricketer of all time.”

Greg Chappell

However, Kohli feels comfortable being himself.

“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 with my Australian mentality or anything like that,” Kohli stated.

“For me, it’s about how we’ve started to excel 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, 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 conversations 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 remains 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 when Kohli leaves. Ajinkya Rahane has a completely different personality from Kohli, but the India captain promised a 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 approach things,” Kohli said about his vice-captain.

“Actually, the way we’ve played our cricket has been a collective effort of 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 template 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 goal remains that, while I am here, I offer captaincy, leadership and performances as a player in the best possible way, and from then on I trust that Jinks will do a tremendous job. I have said before that I think it’s his time to step up and perform strongly as an individual and also as a captain.”