He may have been part of some of the most heated on-field tussles when India and Australia met in whites in the recent past but Virat Kohli is expecting a more friendly but extremely competitive Test series this time in Australia.
India captain Virat Kohli said there will be tension and emotions will flare during the much-anticipated 4-Test series but stressed he doesn’t expect things to get personal as there is a lot of mutual respect between the two teams.
It was Virat Kohli who once famously said his ‘friendship with Australia cricketers was over’ after a heated series at home in 2017. However, the India skipper on Wednesday said he has realised after the pandemic-hit year that “holding grudges” is pointless.
When asked about how his equation with Australia has changed in the recent past, Virat Kohli acknowledged the contribution of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in helping him get to know the opposition better. He also said it’s important to maintain the dignity of sport and not let things go beyond control.
This year has made people realise a lot of things which might not have been necessary in the past,” Kohli said while speaking to the press on the eve of the Adelaide Test.
Holding grudges might be pointless. Don’t think things are going to be as personal as they used to be. We are contributing to a larger cause.
I feel there is much more respect on the field. There is going to be tension, emotions flaring. I don’t foresee anything getting personal anymore. But I don’t see the quality of cricket dropping
