India captain Virat Kohli doesn't see the same heated exchange between India and Australia players happening like before during the upcoming 4-match Test series.
There have been instances when players have gone personal to sledge each other. It adds fuel to the already fired up contest between two top cricketing nations.
Kohli feels the competitiveness between the players will remain the same. But they won't be saying personal stuff or crossing lines to get inside their opponent's mind.
"I think it's a combination of all factors. This year also has made people realize a lot of things which might not have been necessary in the past where you hold grudges or have unnecessary tension between teams or individuals which is pointless," Kohli said in the pre-match press conference.
"You still have to be professional, positive, and aggressive in the body language. But I don't think things are going to be as personal as they used to be before. Because we understand we're contributing to a larger cause and it's the quality of cricket that has to stand out. Obviously, you're trying to get people out and score runs, but at the end of the day, the unnecessary stuff is going to get filtered out by itself."
Virat added that the Indian Premier League has played a part in bringing the players to close. "It could be a culmination of IPL and Australia changing their approach to an extent, and also just the way things have panned out this year. Everyone's just happy to be back on the field. It's not like the games have not been intense or competitive.
"I feel there's much more respect between the sides, you can see that on the field. I hope cricket continues to be competitive. Banter is going to go on here and there all the time, that's the highest level of cricket we'll be playing so it will be competitive. There's going to be tension, stress, and emotion flaring every now and then. I don't foresee anything getting personal anymore. Also, all of us getting smarter... a few more years into our careers and we have to make smarter choices."
The India skipper has ensured he is not going to be short on aggression. Kohli said there will be an appreciation for each other's performances but the high voltage cricket will remain the same with competitive cricket.
"The media has absolute full right and space to see things and perceive as and how they want. As cricketers, we understand that we have to do what is required for the team at that moment. To make sure we move forward as a side, whether it's standing up to some chirp on the field or just being aggressive in our plans.
"At the highest level, the quality of cricket cannot be compromised. If you're stepping onto the field thinking yes, we'll have smiles and handshakes throughout the day and we're not going to be as aggressive or competitive in our body language, I think that's a wrong idea to have. You have to maintain the dignity of the sport but also understand you're competing with two quality sides.
"There will be moments where things get difficult and teams will stand up to each other. There's definitely more to Test cricket. Appreciation for someone's performance comes at the end of five days, and through the five days, the crowds will make things difficult for us. We are going to make things as difficult as possible for the opposition, and that's the beauty of Test cricket. It's going to be high voltage cricket on the field."
(With AP Inputs)
