"People Outside Think Virat Kohli is Arrogant": Ajinkya Rahane Gives Honest Opinion

Virat Kohli scored his 54th ton in ODIs but his 124 went in vain as India lost the 3rd ODI against New Zealand by 41 runs.

"People Outside Think Virat Kohli is Arrogant": Ajinkya Rahane

Coming to India and shushing a huge Indian crowd is one feeling every touring cricketer would want to experience. New Zealand have now done this twice now - in Tests beating India 3-0 in October 2024 and now in the One-Day InternationaIs by beating the men in blue 2-1.

Darly Mitchell scored 352 runs in the series which included two colossal knocks and Virat Kohli from the Indian corner managed to collect 240 runs in the three ODIs. No other Indian top-order batter showed grit or discipline. And, it was yet again Virat Kohli who rescued India from an absolute drubbing. The Indian batter scored 124 off only 108 deliveries - bringing up his 54th ODI ton in the process.

Ajinkya Rahane's blunt Verdict

Former India skipper Ajinkya Rahane was all praises for Virat Kohli and he believes that Kohli's attitude of learning and never giving up is sometimes mistaken for arrogance. Kohli has been accused of being overly aggressive but Rahane believes it is his passion and love for the sport.

What did Rahane have to say about Virat Kohli?

"However much we talk about Virat Kohli is never enough. But I have seen him very closely, how he goes about his batting. We talk about his passion and his intent each and every time. But I feel what stands out is his attitude - the attitude of learning, the attitude of never giving up. People outside think Virat is arrogant, but he is not. He gets into the zone," Rahane said on Cricbuzz.

Rahane also mentioned that it took a while for his teammates also to understand Kohli's pre-match preparation.

"I saw him two days before the game. He'll hardly talk to people, even to his teammates. That's what actually gets him into the zone. He'll always wear his AirPods or try and listen to whatever he wants to and what he likes to get into the zone." "Initially, it took all the players a little bit of time - why is he doing that? But then I got to know that he's actually getting into the zone by not talking to the players or anyone," he added.