Virat Kohli: “My personality represents the new India”

In a tone reminiscent of Australian idiosyncrasy, Virat Kohli has rejected the label of being the most Australian non-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 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.

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 something like that. For me, it’s how we have started to stand up 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 prepared for any challenge that comes our way.

Virat Kohli

Kohli acknowledged that Australia, as a country, welcomes those who perform well on its shores.

I’ve been touring this place for many years and it’s a wonderful place to play cricket. When you play well here, you earn the respect of the public. Obviously, there will be anticipation and conversation around wanting to see you play. The same goes for Jasprit Bumrah. The last time he played he did very well here. Obviously, there will be anticipation and excitement around him to see him bowl. The same goes for me, I’ve been coming here for many years.

Virat Kohli

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. That remains our goal. 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 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 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 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 strategizes and presents things to 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 is on the time I am here to provide the captaincy, leadership and performances as a player in the best possible way, and from then on I am very sure that 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