Explained: Why Australia loves Virat Kohli so much
Virat Kohli is not among the runs at the moment, but that hardly bothers Australia. It is a festival of sorts when the ace batter arrives Down Under, creating a hype that only a few visiting cricketers, if not any, have managed to earn.
Despite more than a week for the Border-Gavaskar series to begin, the Australian newspapers have sacrificed their front pages just for Kohli's arrival on their soil. The pull that he has with the nation is something else, but this was not the state of affairs back then.
Kohli had the opportunity to tour Australia in his maiden year of Test cricket, and he came in with a reputation for being brash and hot-tempered. Those traits came out inevitably when exposed to the hostile Australian crowd. A rude gesture with his finger to a hoard of fans was all it took for Kohli to become an overnight.
The way he soon responded with a ton in Adelaide, then coming back as a leader in the next tour, and evolving to become one of the greatest of all time, has healed those wounds. It has converted Kohli from an arrogant rookie to one of the most anticipated and welcomed guests.
Kohli embodies the Australian spirit more than any other overseas player
It is the very same trait that landed Kohli in hot water on his maiden tour that ended up being his most likable trait from an Australian perspective. For years they have watched Indian teams come and cop the abuse on and off the field without showing any kind of fightback or resistance.
To see a young Kohli respond with such an audacious gesture, something that the Australians might have done if they were in his shoes, was more than enough to show that he is cut different from the rest.
Cricketers are passionate, but the way Kohli shows is how Australians themselves envision the game. Getting into the sledging and banter, responding with fire against fire, and standing tall at the end of the day, which not many Indian players have managed to do on Australian soil, have left the nation no choice but to admire his thick skin and the undeniable ability.
There are several little acts over the years that has made Kohli a respectable opponent in Australia's eyes. His decision to go for a steep chase on Test captaincy debut, the way he responded to Mitchell Johnson's hostile spells in the same series, and the way he led the side on the next tour to win the series, along with his fiery responses in media, have all contributed in the bond between Kohli and Australia.
Exhibits the right blend of competitiveness and respect
There are only a few select players from the touring party that leave Australia spellbound for a long time. It does not take much, but it is incredibly hard to do so. Most of them struggle with the hostility and the conditions, hardly making them memorable, while some tend to overdo it and lose respect in the process.
However, Kohli struck the right balance with his sheer prowess, his passion, and his ability to withstand the Australian ambushes on and off the field. It is hard to get Kohli rattled, but even when he gets done for, it is with an elegance that is admirable.
Kohli embodies the get-in-your-face attitude, but after his early mishap in Australia, made sure to never cross the line. The Australian players have spoken very highly of Virat Kohli's off-the-field demeanor, and that is why because he is as respectful, as he is competitive. He knows the line very well, something which several surprisingly don't.
Kohli has spoken highly of Australia over the years
Much like Australians only have good to say about Kohli, the reverse also stands true. The ace batter boasts a good relationship with the players, with the IPL proving to be a great bonding factor. He has also spoken about having to win over the Australian crowds, and the important fact that they appreciate good cricket and guts at the end of the day.
Despite Glenn Maxwell playing with hundreds of Australians in his career, it was Virat Kohli, who wrote the foreword in his autobiography. In another instance, Kohli had intervened to silence a section of Indian fans, who were booing Steve Smith at The Oval during the 2019 ODI World Cup. He also attended Philip Hughes' funeral along with Ravi Shastri and Rohit Sharma, earning the respect of then-captain Michael Clarke.
Such gestures live long in the memory of supporters, and these are just the big ones.
Kohli's there even if he is not there
Kohli has managed to leave such a drastic impact on Australia, that he remains the talk of the town well after his departure, and well before his arrival. Over the course of the Australian home summer, there will be mention of Kohli in one way or the other, whether it be his recent or old exploits or in the form of comparison with someone else. It is just impossible to separate Kohli from Australia.
If not for broadcast, then there will be mention of Kohli through media outlets or comments from pundits on podcasts or interviews. Firstly, his mere mention helps with the ratings and revenue, and secondly, he is that interesting a character and that big a player to be worth bringing up.
There won't be chants of Kohli, Kohli by the Australian section in the crowd when he gets out to bat, nor will every run of his will be cheered. However, they will join the applause if there is a milestone to be celebrated. It is that kind of a relationship, where if there is hatred, it is only because he is too good.