Virat Kohli: “My personality represents the new India”

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

The renowned cricketer, Virat Kohli, has rejected the label of being the “most Australian non-Australian”, preferring to define himself as a representative of a “new India”. This new India, according to Kohli, is characterized by facing all challenges with determination. The reception Kohli has received in 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 in which he will not participate.

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

Greg Chappell

Kohli, however, feels comfortable being true to himself.

I have always been myself. I believe my personality and character are a representation of the new India. For me, that’s how I see it. It’s not a comparison to the Australian mentality. It’s how we have started to stand out as the Indian cricket team. My personality has always been like this from day one. This is a representation of the new India, where we want to take on challenges and move forward with optimism and positivity.

Virat Kohli

Kohli acknowledged that Australia welcomes those who are successful on their soil. “I have been touring this place for many years and it is 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 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 to see him bowl. The same goes for me, I have been coming here for many years.”

The main focus of the Indian team, according to Kohli, is for the general public to see India perform as a team, which was the highlight of the last tour. “All external things are not under our control. That’s great for the publicity of the series, but the true and simple focus remains on how well we can perform as a team here.” Knowing the Indian team, the rest will be happy to go unnoticed and let Kohli take all the attention. This is especially true for the man who will take over the team’s leadership when Kohli leaves. Ajinkya Rahane, who will replace Kohli, has a completely different personality, 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, 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 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 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 also do a tremendous job in my absence, but the focus remains until the moment I am here to provide captaincy and leadership and performances as a player in the best possible way, and from there, I trust 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