Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli is not a person who gets inspired by noise or praise from outside. It is his mentality that really drives him forward, and now his long-time teammate Ajinkya Rahane has explained this side of Kohli in a very clear way.
Ajinkya Rahane understood Virat Kohli’s attitude and mentality
Over the years, fans and critics have tried to define what fuels Virat Kohli’s great intensity. Recently, Ajinkya Rahane, who played with and under Kohli for years, has finally understood the attitude that sets the former Indian captain apart from the rest.
Rahane said that Kohli’s biggest strength is not just his passion or hunger for runs, but his attitude and sometimes many people mistake it for arrogance. He described Kohli’s attitude of keeping learning, never giving up and always fighting as the core of his greatness.
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Ajinkya Rahane said on Cricbuzz, “No matter how much we talk about Virat Kohli, it is never enough. But I have watched him from very close, how he approaches his batting. We talk about his passion and his intentions every time. But I think what stands out for me is his attitude. The attitude of learning, the attitude of never giving up. People outside think that Virat is arrogant, but he is not. They come to this area.”
Inside Kohli’s pre-match routine: The power of silence
Before matches, Kohli slowly goes into his own world, as shared by Rahane. He doesn’t even talk much to his teammates. This is not because of ego or attitude, but it is how he prepares himself and Rahane said that this silence helps Kohli to be fully prepared for the match.
Rahane further shared, “I saw him two days before the game. He would hardly talk to people, even teammates. That’s the thing that really gets him in the zone. He would always be wearing his AirPods or whatever to get in the zone and try to listen to whatever he likes.
He is in the gym all the time. We all know this. But it took some time for all the players to understand it in the beginning. Why is he doing this? But then I realized he was really just getting in the zone, not talking to the players or talking to anyone. He really likes doing that.”
Why is Virat Kohli never satisfied?
The Mumbaikar also praised Kohli’s work ethic and said that the former Indian captain always wants to improve and strives and thinks about how he can help the team more despite achieving everything.
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“His attitude is amazing. His work ethic is amazing. We all know that. And every time you see him, you see something different. He always wants to change. He always wants to improve and always wants to contribute to the team,” Rahane said.
ODI king in full swing: Kohli’s tremendous form
This mentality is clearly visible in his recent form. Kohli has been in terrible form in his last six matches. The former Indian captain, after being out for a duck twice on the tour last year, scored an unbeaten 74 in the final ODI against Australia and has continued that lethal form at home as well.
The Indian batsman scored 135, 102 and 65 not out against South Africa in the recent three-match ODI series at home. His hunger did not diminish even in domestic cricket. Kohli scored a brilliant 131 against Andhra Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 and followed it up with a strong inning of 77 against Gujarat.
He was to play the third match for Delhi, but national duty did not allow it. Now, Kohli, who is now active only in ODIs having retired from Test and T20I cricket, will be keen to extend his dominance against New Zealand in the ongoing three-match ODI series on home soil.