Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has provided a fascinating, intimate glimpse into the mindset that truly defines Virat Kohli, drawing from years of sharing a dressing room and playing under his captaincy. Rahane suggests that Kohli's legendary status stems from something deeper than his visible passion or insatiable appetite for runs.
The Misunderstood Attitude: More Than Just Passion
In a candid conversation on Cricbuzz, Rahane emphasized that Kohli's core differentiator is his attitude, a trait often misjudged by outsiders. "However much we talk about Virat Kohli is never enough," Rahane stated. He explained that while people constantly discuss Kohli's passion and intent, for him, the standout feature is the champion's overarching attitude.
"I feel for me what stands out is his attitude. Attitude of learning, attitude of never giving up," Rahane elaborated. He directly addressed a common public perception, adding, "People outside think Virat is arrogant, but he is not. He gets into the zone." This process of entering 'the zone' involves a deliberate and often misunderstood pre-match ritual.
Inside Kohli's Pre-Game Ritual: The Power of Silence
Rahane shed light on Kohli's unique preparation style, which involves withdrawing into a focused, silent space in the days leading up to a match. This behaviour, Rahane clarified, is frequently misread as aloofness or ego.
"I saw him two days before the game. He'll hardly talk with people, even with the teammates. That's what actually gets him into the zone," Rahane revealed. He described Kohli's method: "He'll always wear his AirPods or try and listen to whatever he wants to and what he likes to get into the zone."
This approach was initially puzzling for fellow players. "Initially it took all the players a little bit of time. Why is he doing that?" Rahane admitted. However, they soon understood its purpose. "But then I got to know that he's actually getting into the zone while not talking to the players or while not talking to anyone."
A Relentless Drive for Improvement
Beyond his intense preparation, Rahane lauded Kohli's unwavering work ethic and his constant pursuit of growth, even after conquering nearly every peak in international cricket.
"His attitude is amazing. His work ethics are amazing," Rahane said with admiration. He pointed out Kohli's evolving nature, noting, "Every time you see him, you see something different. He always wants to change. He always wants to improve and always wants to contribute for the team."
These insights from Rahane emerge as Virat Kohli continues to scale monumental heights in the sport. During the first ODI against New Zealand, his match-winning knock of 93 runs propelled him past Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara. With this innings, Kohli became the second-highest run-scorer across all international formats combined.
The batting icon now boasts 28,068 international runs since his debut for India in 2008. The only player ahead of him on the all-time list is the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Rahane's revelations offer a timely perspective, looking beyond the staggering statistics to understand the mindset fueling one of cricket's greatest modern careers.
