Former Australian skipper Grep Chappell said in a column for The Sydney Morning that Indian skipper Virat Kohli is the most ‘Australian non-Australian player’ as he doesn’t believe in passive resistance and wants to dominate the opposition.
Chappell further added that the talismanic Indian batsman provides a broad perspective to the game.
Chappell had earlier served as the head coach of the Indian team from 2005 to 2007.
Often termed as being over-aggressive, Kohli drew rich praise from the entire cricket fraternity when he urged fans from booing Australia's Steve Smith during the World Cup in England and Wales last year. For his gesture, Kohli won the 'Spirit of Cricket' award in 2019 and is also in contention for the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award of the Decade.
"He (Kohli) is aware of his personal record, but that is not his focus. Winning games for India is way more important to him and he sees it as his prime objective." The Aussie said.
"Virat Kohli does not believe in passive resistance. He is a proponent of all-out aggression. His idea is to dominate the opposition," writes Chappell.
"He embodies the new India. As the premier player and captain of the world's pre-eminent cricket power, he feels an abiding responsibility to the wider game," he adds.
"On the broader front, he is aware of his status in the game and how he can impact others. His response to the Indian supporters who booed Steve Smith at The Oval during the 2019 World Cup was illuminating and heartening," writes Chappell.
"The brash youngster had morphed into a senior statesman," he adds.
The former Australian skipper also praises Kohli for his batting technique saying the Indian captain is a "feel" player.
Talking about the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, Chappell says the four-match Test series is a "bout between heavyweights".
The Indian skipper will, however, take part only in the first Test to be played with a pink ball at the Adelaide Oval and will then return to India to be with his wife who is expecting their first child.
