Sydney: The crowd expressed their mixed feelings towards him, initially booing, then cheering, and ultimately applauding at his request. As he departed the field after what is likely his final Test innings in Australia, the atmosphere at the Sydney Cricket Ground was characterized by a blend of boos and admiration. Typically, legendary players receive a standing ovation during their last match on foreign soil, yet this was not the case for Kohli.

Instead, the home audience appeared to be questioning: “What is wrong with Kohli?” This was a sentiment that had not been directed at him by Australia for quite some time. He had previously managed to irritate them with his fiery demeanour and competitive spirit, but he consistently backed it up with exceptional performances that showcased his intense desire to win. The Australian crowd appreciated this; they relished the presence of a competitor willing to challenge them on their home turf.

The conclusion, if it is indeed a conclusion, should not come as a surprise. This scenario mirrors the beginning of Kohli's journey in Australia during the 2011/12 series. Many recall the incident when Kohli gestured towards a section of the SCG crowd during the second Test, which resulted in a 50% deduction from his match fee. He later tweeted that the crowd had uttered the “worst things” about his family.

It was only after he achieved his first Test century at the Adelaide Oval in the fourth Test that he began to express himself more openly.

“To respond verbally and then score a hundred is even more gratifying,” he remarked. “We do not go out there to tolerate any disrespect. We are international cricketers, and they should recognize that. It is essential to convey this, whether through our words or our performances. The satisfaction derived from this is immense.

“They resort to sledging when they feel frustrated. It was particularly hot out there, and they were incessantly trying to disrupt our focus. During that partnership, their comments became quite low. In Sydney, they targeted me because I was not scoring. Today, they were upset because I achieved a hundred; thus, while the reasons have shifted, the dynamic remains unchanged.”

Uncompromising

Over the years, Virat Kohli, now 36, has demonstrated his resilience as a formidable competitor. This tenacity has earned him the respect of Australia, as evidenced by his seven Test centuries on their soil—the highest tally for any Indian player.

As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series approached, the media focus was predominantly on Kohli and Pat Cummins, overshadowing figures like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. For many Australians, Kohli epitomizes Indian cricket; his presence has been so pronounced that he is simply unavoidable.

In his 30 Test matches against Australia, Kohli has amassed 2,232 runs at an average of 43.76, including nine centuries. Notably, in the 18 Tests played in Australia, he has scored 1,542 runs at an average of 46.72, with seven of those being centuries.

Wearing an India jersey on the streets often leads to inquiries about Kohli. While players like Bumrah may be less understood, and legends such as Tendulkar, Dravid, and Laxman continue to be revered, Kohli is the focal point for debate. The discussion surrounding who is superior, Kohli or Steve Smith, serves as a courteous introduction, but tensions rise when comparisons are drawn between Kohli's demeanour and that of Ricky Ponting. The conversation can become particularly heated when referencing the incident involving Kohli and 19-year-old Sam Konstas in Melbourne.

For many Australians, that incident marked a significant low for Kohli, as it involved a physical confrontation with a young player, leading to perceptions of him as a bully.

Isa Guha commented on this incident during a broadcast on Fox, suggesting it reflects Kohli's current mental state. "The Kohli of 2014 would’ve thrived off this. He’s coming to the end of his career, he’s had a period of being quite mellow. Yes, he made a mistake on Day 1 (with Konstas), the media are on him. It’s a sign of what his mental state is that he’s getting frustrated by all these things around him."

Kohli also faces the challenge of 'outside noise,' which he typically disregards. However, it appears that even minor irritations affect him significantly. The Australian crowd is acutely aware of this, recognizing that it does not take much to unsettle him. For Kohli, every interaction feels personal, and every slight is perceived as a challenge to his principles.

Bouncing back

In Perth, Kohli's century appeared to delight Australia, providing an opportunity to witness the renowned player rediscovering his prime form against a formidable opponent, in the very country where he first made his mark in Test cricket.

“One of the paradoxes of sport is that while we celebrate its unpredictability, we appreciate it even more when it seems preordained,” remarked cricket writer and historian Gideon Haigh. “The Australian media had been emphasizing the potential resurgence of Kohli. Beware the tiger! Don’t provoke the bear! That jittery first innings was disappointing; however, we ultimately received what we anticipated.”

Subsequently, record crowds flocked to witness the Indian team, eagerly seeking autographs and selfies, filling the stands, and creating such an uproar that Pat Cummins often felt as though he were playing in India. Nevertheless, Kohli never recaptured his form from Perth.

Instead, he appeared to grow increasingly frustrated. This anger may have been a facade to conceal his struggles. The eight dismissals outside off-stump were significant not only for their nature but also for illustrating how far Kohli had declined. Fans could perceive and feel this change. He had been an idol for many, including Konstas and Nitish Reddy, who had grown up in the past two decades. While they might not be familiar with Allan Border or Sunil Gavaskar's playing styles, they certainly recognized Kohli.

In his last 40 Tests, Kohli has maintained an average of 32.29. Questions arose regarding the underlying issues and whether they could be addressed. Was it a matter of hand coordination? Vision? Technical flaws? The debates were incessant—both in the media and in everyday conversations.

When former India coach Greg Chappell, who boasted an average of 53.86 over 87 Tests, was posed with this inquiry, his response was revealing: “I don’t believe a player’s hand-eye coordination diminishes at this age. It is more about the mental capacity and endurance required to maintain such intense focus and concentration. However, I do not subscribe to the notion that the mind deteriorates. It is simply that one cannot devote the same singular focus as in youth; life evolves, you marry, you start families, and suddenly…”

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