Former India captain Virat Kohli said he did not think about answering his critics when he returned to competitive action at Asia Cup 2022, saying he is focused on working hard and giving his “120 percent” towards the team’s cause.
Kohli said he is absolutely fine with people having opinions about his game but that doesn’t, in any way, affect his happiness.
Kohli’s comments came after he hit his second fifty of Asia Cup 2022, a 44-ball 60 that went in vain in India’s 5-wicket loss to Pakistan in their first Super 4 match on Sunday, September 5.
Kohli is India’s leading run-getter in Asia Cup 2022 with 154 runs at an average of 77 and a strike rate of 126.23. The former skipper, who had struggled for fluency before the Asia Cup, looks to be on his way to regaining his touch and peak form.
“Never really paid attention to these things (answering the critics). I have played for 14 years and it doesn’t happen by chance. My job is to work hard on my game, something that I am keen to do, keen to improve for my team and that’s something that I am going to continue to do so,” Kohli said.
“Everyone is doing their job (critics). Our job is to play the game, work hard, give our 120 percent. As long as I am doing that and the team has faith it in that, what happens in the change room that matters to us, to me as well.
“People have their opinions, that’s absolutely fine. That doesn’t change my happiness as a person,” he added.
Furthermore, Kohli said he wanted the break ahead of the Asia Cup to put things into perspective and he was able to find the excitement to play cricket back during the time away from competitive action.
Kohli added that the dressing room environment was very welcoming when he returned from the break and he has once again begun to enjoy his game.
“I took some time away, put things in perspective and it’s given me a kind of relaxation that this is not the be-all-and-end-all of life. I have realised in life that I can’t put so much pressure of expectations on myself that I am not express myself. That’s not why I started playing the game. I was able to find that excitement back,” Kohli said.
“When I came here, the environment was very welcoming, and the camaraderie with the boys is amazing. The environment in the team is amazing, I am absolutely loving playing all over again and feeling good regarding my batting,” he added.
