Virat Kohli: “My personality is the new India” in cricket

Virat Kohli: The “New India” Challenging Expectations in Australia

In a tone that evokes the Australian spirit, Virat Kohli has rejected the label of being the “most un-Australian Australian”. Instead, he identifies as a representative of a “new India”, which “faces” all challenges. The reception Kohli has received on this tour of Australia has been unprecedented, with former Test players, newspapers, and television stations focusing on Kohli and the impact of his absence in 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. For me, it’s how we have started to stand out as the Indian cricket team. And my personality has always been like that 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 ready 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 anticipation and conversation around wanting to see you play. Similarly to Jasprit Bumrah as well. The last time he performed very well here. Obviously, there’s going to be anticipation and excitement around him to see him bowl. Similarly 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 their control. That’s great for the publicity of the series, but the real and simple focus 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 hog 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 India captain promised similar intensity once he is gone.

“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. Actually, the way we have played cricket has been a collective effort of the whole team. It is a cultural effort and not just mine, who strategizes and presents things to people. It is 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 do a tremendous job in my absence as well, but the focus is on the time I am here to provide captaincy and leadership and performances as a player to the best of my abilities 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 really step up and perform strongly as an individual and also as a captain”.

Virat Kohli