"I don't need approval from anyone" - Virat Kohli on how he reacts to outside noise about his IPL 2024 strike rate
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener Virat Kohli has said he is unfazed by the outside noise surrounding his performances and strike rate in the ongoing IPL 2024. The ace batter asserted that he doesn't seek approval from anyone as he is very much aware of his capabilities.
Kohli added that it's not just about criticism. He doesn't want validation or appreciation from people either. The former RCB skipper cited an incident from his childhood to suggest that he had developed such an attitude right from the beginning.
During an interview with JioCinema, here's what Kohli said on being asked about his reaction to the outside noise:
"There has never been a point where I've felt that I should go to someone and ask them not to speak about me. I know what I can do. I don't need approval from anyone. I don't seek validation either. I learnt it from my father in my childhood. There was a time when I was getting a chance to play state cricket in an unfair way. My father said that if he works hard and gets selected, it's fine, otherwise let it be. For me, performance is everything. Nobody is going to let you play just like that for 16 years."
Virat Kohli remarked that there's no need for him to react to what is being said about him. The seasoned campaigner indicated that he has self-belief and knows what he can do with the bat.
The 35-year-old added that he never asked anyone how to win matches and did it all by himself, by learning from his failures. Kohli said:
"I don't need to react; I know what I can do on the ground. For that, I don't need to prove myself to anyone. I haven't asked anybody how to win matches. I've learnt it from being there in such situations and by failing. You can win one or two matches by chance, but if you've done it consistently, it cannot be by chance."
It is worth mentioning that speaking at a post-match presentation during IPL 2024, Virat Kohli took a dig at the commentators who targeted him for his strike rate. It led to Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar expressing his displeasure and questioning why players respond to comments made by experts if they didn't pay attention to the outside noise.
"Many even questioned Mahi bhai for taking the match deep" - Virat Kohli explains his case by citing MS Dhoni's example
Virat Kohli highlighted how certain fans and experts often questioned former India captain MS Dhoni for taking matches too deep while chasing.
Kohli pointed out that Dhoni knew what he was doing, and despite the criticism about taking the game to the final over, he won a lot of matches for his team.
"Watching someone and being in that moment yourself are two very different things. Many even questioned Mahi bhai for taking the match deep, but how many matches has he finished? Only he knows what he's doing. He knows what he is doing and he has won matches with that. For me, that is muscle memory. He knows that if he takes the match to the last over, he will win it," Virat Kohli said.
The star batter noted that he didn't agree with Dhoni's method and often asked the keeper-batter to complete the match with an over to spare. He added that Dhoni would listen to his take, but if he was batting with someone else, there was no possibility of him changing the tried and tested approach. Kohli continued:
"However, I had a different mindset. I would always say, 'Mahi bhai, let it go, let's finish it in the 19th or the 49th over.' If he is with me, then it's a different thing, but if he is alone, then there's no chance he will listen to anyone. He will definitely take it to the last over, where the other team will have that fear that he will finish the match with one six."
Virat Kohli has been in sublime form in IPL 2024. With 661 across 13 innings, he is currently the Orange Cap holder of the season. He will be seen in action on Saturday, May 18, when RCB take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a must-win clash at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.