Virat Kohli defended his often criticised aggressive demeanour as captain of the Indian cricket team. Kohli asserted that he doesn't feel the need to behave any differently just because he is leading the national side. Especially since it comes out naturally and brings the best out of him.
Kohli's words came after his recent fiery exchange with a journalist following India's 2-0 Test series loss in New Zealand as he was asked whether he feels the need to tone down his pugnacious nature on the field.
During the second Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, the Indian captain was seen animated at the fall of wickets, giving angry send-offs to the Kiwi batsmen and even having a go at a particular section of the crowd.
"There is a bit of crazy up here as well (in his head)," Kohli told former England batsman Kevin Pietersen during an Instagram live session. "When I played under MS (Dhoni) I was in his ear every moment. I wanted to be at the right place at the right time."
"I don't think I need to behave differently because I am a captain. I can't play any other way. I made a promise, the day I stop feeling like that I will stop."
"For me, the most important thing is how can I contribute to help the team win. That mindset should never change. Lot of things people say to stir things up in India, but you have to block the noise and make the most of the opportunity in front of you," he added.
What didn't help against the Black Caps was that Kohli's form with the bat was well off the mark. He scored just 39 runs across four innings in India's successive heavy defeats. Kohli, however, believes that was a rare blip for him and his team after a long, tiring season.
"Before we used to come every 3-4 years in England. In India, you guys come every year for IPL. But now with so much tour and cricket, we don't feel we are playing in alien conditions. Anyone can beat anyone anywhere. We feel the same in terms of conditions. Now it's all about fatigue and mindset," he said.
Kohli also talked about his move to turn vegan and why that was the best decision of his life with regards to fitness.
"In 2018, I got a cervical spine issue. I could barely feel my finger and I couldn't sleep. The body was acidic, my stomach started pulling calcium from my bones and my bones got weaker."
"I cut down uric acid from my body and I left the meat. That is the best decision I have made in my life," he said. "I have never felt better waking up. I can play 3 games a week and can recover within a day after a Test match and go on another."
(Inputs from IANS)
