Virat Kohli
Having introspected on his recent struggles with form, the star batter now seems calmer, more accepting. He also seems closer to rediscovering his groove, which is good news for Team India...
DUBAI: When Virat Kohli sat for the press conference after Sunday's match against Pakistan, he instructed the media manager to not ignore anyone. It was his first interaction with the media since he relinquished Test captaincy in January.
There's an unusual calm about Kohli. The chest-thumping persona seems to have taken a backseat. In the past, especially in press conferences, there would be an air of bravado around Kohli, a sort of in-your-face intensity. On Sunday, it was a laidback Kohli who turned up. Relaxed and swivelling in his chair, Kohli addressed the entire session with a zen-like calming voice.
His comments about MS Dhoni being the only person to have messaged him after he gave up Test captaincy has been raging on the internet for the last 24 hours. But the crux of that statement was that he now sees through people. "When you have respect for someone and that's genuine, then it looks like that because there is a sense of security on both sides," he said of Dhoni's gesture. "Somehow, I live my life with honesty, and I can see through these things. I won't say these things don't bother me, but you see the truth," he stated.
For once, there was no aggression on his face. He gave the impression that he was completely fine with it. These have not been easy eight months for Kohli. From being the one who calls the shots to someone's place coming under threat in T20Is, it could unnerve the best.
Stats have hardly betrayed Kohli in his career. If anything, as head coach Rahul Dravid pointed out, the world gets obsessed with his stats. Kohli has struck form. At least, Sunday's knock said the vintage Kohli was back. But the last few months have been to know himself.
He is wearing a smile through his practice sessions. Walking to the team bus, he is comfortable when mobbed for pictures. It's not that he ever objected to clicking photos with fans, but there's no rush to leave here. The smile is wider and the frown that comes with being hassled, seems to have disappeared.
"As long as I am in a good space and confident, I know I can bat in many ways. It's just about getting back in the groove and being confident about how you are playing," Kohli stated.
Well, he seems to have found his groove. The whips over mid-wicket, the punches of both backfoot, the electric running-between-the-wickets and egging his partner from the other end are back. The jarring war cry may be missing but the fist pumps are making up for them. In a way, he has eschewed his inherent intensity for statesman-like calm.
Kohli's record in T20Is is astounding. But he understands what was lacking in his game. "The middle-over run-rate has also improved, something which I personally as batter took keen notice of. I know that is one area we need to keep improving on. Today, I was making a conscious effort to strike at a higher pace. I'll continue to bat the way I did today. Take the game head on. Just bat freely."
This brings to his much talked about break he took before the Asia Cup. He has already conceded that he was 'little bit faking his intensity.' The time off was more about introspection. "I have taken some time away, put things in perspective and it's given me relaxation that this is not be all and end all of life. I know what I can do for the team when I am happy in my space. To be in a bad space is neither good for me nor for the team."
The aura of Virat Kohli could mostly be overbearing. He has revelled in that. Quitting captaincy was supposed to give himself more space. But the team management doesn't undermine his stature. Every huddle they get into, Kohli will be giving pep talks. "When I came here, I found the environment very welcoming and the camaraderie with the boys is amazing. The environment in the team is amazing. I am absolutely loving playing all over again and feeling good when I am batting," he stated.
Even as he maintains only what the dressing room matters most, the outside noise does get to him. He has made his hurt obvious with the Dhoni comment. But this period of persistent scrutiny has also helped him rediscover his core. Kohli explained: "People have their opinions and that doesn't change my happiness as a person. I can't put so much pressure on myself of expectations and all those things that I am not able to express myself. That is not why I started playing cricket."
Kohli can never be accused of shying away from challenges. In fact, he sought them out. Landing in Dubai, he has just learnt to calmly embrace them.
DUBAI: When Virat Kohli sat for the press conference after Sunday's match against Pakistan, he instructed the media manager to not ignore anyone. It was his first interaction with the media since he relinquished Test captaincy in January.
There's an unusual calm about Kohli. The chest-thumping persona seems to have taken a backseat. In the past, especially in press conferences, there would be an air of bravado around Kohli, a sort of in-your-face intensity. On Sunday, it was a laidback Kohli who turned up. Relaxed and swivelling in his chair, Kohli addressed the entire session with a zen-like calming voice.
His comments about MS Dhoni being the only person to have messaged him after he gave up Test captaincy has been raging on the internet for the last 24 hours. But the crux of that statement was that he now sees through people. "When you have respect for someone and that's genuine, then it looks like that because there is a sense of security on both sides," he said of Dhoni's gesture. "Somehow, I live my life with honesty, and I can see through these things. I won't say these things don't bother me, but you see the truth," he stated.
For once, there was no aggression on his face. He gave the impression that he was completely fine with it. These have not been easy eight months for Kohli. From being the one who calls the shots to someone's place coming under threat in T20Is, it could unnerve the best.
Stats have hardly betrayed Kohli in his career. If anything, as head coach Rahul Dravid pointed out, the world gets obsessed with his stats. Kohli has struck form. At least, Sunday's knock said the vintage Kohli was back. But the last few months have been to know himself.
He is wearing a smile through his practice sessions. Walking to the team bus, he is comfortable when mobbed for pictures. It's not that he ever objected to clicking photos with fans, but there's no rush to leave here. The smile is wider and the frown that comes with being hassled, seems to have disappeared.
"As long as I am in a good space and confident, I know I can bat in many ways. It's just about getting back in the groove and being confident about how you are playing," Kohli stated.
Well, he seems to have found his groove. The whips over mid-wicket, the punches of both backfoot, the electric running-between-the-wickets and egging his partner from the other end are back. The jarring war cry may be missing but the fist pumps are making up for them. In a way, he has eschewed his inherent intensity for statesman-like calm.
Kohli's record in T20Is is astounding. But he understands what was lacking in his game. "The middle-over run-rate has also improved, something which I personally as batter took keen notice of. I know that is one area we need to keep improving on. Today, I was making a conscious effort to strike at a higher pace. I'll continue to bat the way I did today. Take the game head on. Just bat freely."
This brings to his much talked about break he took before the Asia Cup. He has already conceded that he was 'little bit faking his intensity.' The time off was more about introspection. "I have taken some time away, put things in perspective and it's given me relaxation that this is not be all and end all of life. I know what I can do for the team when I am happy in my space. To be in a bad space is neither good for me nor for the team."
The aura of Virat Kohli could mostly be overbearing. He has revelled in that. Quitting captaincy was supposed to give himself more space. But the team management doesn't undermine his stature. Every huddle they get into, Kohli will be giving pep talks. "When I came here, I found the environment very welcoming and the camaraderie with the boys is amazing. The environment in the team is amazing. I am absolutely loving playing all over again and feeling good when I am batting," he stated.
Even as he maintains only what the dressing room matters most, the outside noise does get to him. He has made his hurt obvious with the Dhoni comment. But this period of persistent scrutiny has also helped him rediscover his core. Kohli explained: "People have their opinions and that doesn't change my happiness as a person. I can't put so much pressure on myself of expectations and all those things that I am not able to express myself. That is not why I started playing cricket."
Kohli can never be accused of shying away from challenges. In fact, he sought them out. Landing in Dubai, he has just learnt to calmly embrace them.