Virat Kohli

Kohli was asked about his aggressive style of cricket crossed with fighting attitude. He responded, "The way my personality and character is, I am the representation of new India. For me, that's how I look at it.” These comments from the Indian skipper came while he was addressing a virtual press conference on the eve of the first match in the 4-match series. 

The right-handed batsman, who has six centuries in 12 Tests in Australia, hinted that KL Rahul, who has opened in the past, can play at any position and also confirmed that Rohit Sharma will open once he re-joins the team in the later part of the series.

The Australian media have been expecting Indians to use the short ball against Smith after the Aussie batsman failed against the variety against New Zealand last season. The India captain admitted that starting with the pink-ball Test will be a challenge and the previous series win in Australia -- in 2018-19 -- does not mean anything other than helping them inspire.

Kohli will return to India after the end of the first Test that begins Thursday to attend the birth of his child. Vice-captain Rahane will step in to lead the side in the last three Tests. The Mumbai batsman led the team in the two warm-up games against Australia A. Kohli, who called leading the team a collective effort and not just him strategising in front of people, added that both he and Rahane have a mutual understanding which is based on trust.

Kohli has displaced New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson at the second spot in the latest ICC Test rankings for batsmen. India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has also entered the top 10 list. Cheteshwar Pujara has maintained his seventh spot in the list currently led by Australia's Steve Smith.

India, under Kohli in the 2018/19 series, became the first Asian side to beat Australia in a Test series in their own den. The series featured stellar performances from batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant and Kohli and the fast bowling battery featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma.

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.

Skipper Kohli scored two half-centuries in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Australia which India lost 1-2. Despite missing the ODI series against the Aaron Finch-led side owing to a hamstring injury, Sharma remains at number two, five points ahead of Babar Azam who is on third.

Kohli had led India to a 2-1 win in the 2018-19 Test series and followed that up with a 2-1 win in the ODI series