Test skipper Virat Kohli bats for gender equality

Indian Test Skipper Virat Kohli recently showed his concerns over gender equality and respect for women in an interview with “The Hindu”. Kohli, who is usually seen speaking for the on-field matters, opened up about his social concerns and beliefs for the first time. Kohli seemed absolutely disgusted at the sad plight of Indian women and quoted “It comes from the kind of society that we have built over the years where women have always been known to be treated as inferiors.”

Kohli started with citing the recent cases of rapes, molestations and other crimes against women as a very disgusting thing which can sadden and disturb any individual. “It has obviously been a major concern for a long time, especially rapes, molestations and eve-teasing. It is very disrespectful to look at women in that way,” said Kohli. He was also quick to spot on the reason behind such crimes and injustice towards women saying that these things have come as a result of traditions and the treatment the women have been getting for years. He feels that there is absolutely a need to stop these injustices towards women.

“It comes from the kind of society that we have built over the years where women have always been known to be treated as inferiors. How can this be done? This mentality is disturbing and needs to be condemned,” quoted the star Indian batsman.

In the interview, he also opened up about his own expectations, his individuality and threw light on his personal self.

When asked about how much does he value the history of the game, Kohli was quick to admit that he holds a great value for the history of cricket. He showed his respect for the players from the past by saying that there is absolutely a need to value to contributions made by the greats of the game. “I value it a lot. You get to know how cricket has evolved and what the challenges were for the players from the previous generations. You got to learn from it. You have to appreciate the runs and the centuries and the wickets they took in their times. When you think of times when there were no helmets, no thigh guards, very average leg guards, and to face that kind of speed on pitches that were not properly prepared, I think you then learn to appreciate more,” said Kohli.

Kohli was then asked if he ever blamed himself for the defeat of his side whenever he has led the team. Kohli responded with a positive saying he has always done that, right from his early cricket days. “Not just because I am the captain now. There have been lot of instances when I have spoken to sir (coach Raj Kumar Sharma) also. And I have told him we have lost because of me. I remember a T20 game in England. It was the last game of the tour. I got 70 odd runs but I played a pull shot and I got out. As soon as I got out I felt that the game was going to be dicey. Eventually we lost that game. A number of times I have sat down and blamed myself and colleagues have told me not to be hard on myself,” he quoted.

His aggression was the next on the radar and he was asked why he always looks angry on the field. Kohli was frank enough to accept his nature and cited that he plays to win. Joking around on the field is not something he does all the time. There has to be seriousness and aggression he admitted. “My simple answer is I play to win. I do joke around on the field but not all the time. Now that I am the captain I can’t be fooling around. I am always intense on the field. That is the reason why it comes across to people I am angry but I am not. I do get angry but not all the time.”

Kohli was then asked if there was any shot that he ever wished to play after watching some other batsman play it. He was quick to spot that he always dreamt of playing like Sachin Tendulkar and tried his hands to emulate the way he hit straight sixes but often failed. ”Oh yes. There is one. By Sachin Tendulkar at Sharjah (in 1998) when he hit Michael Kasprowicz. He hit a six with a straight bat that went onto the cabanas in front of the dressing room. I used to try and emulate that with tennis ball cricket but it used to fly off the bat,” said the Indian ODI skipper who regards Sachin Tendulkar as his mentor.

Asked about the influence that his family has had on him, Kohli admitted that it has been the family support that has kept him going. He admires his father a lot. He termed his family support to be absolutely priceless. “Big. I am very lucky I am the third child (elders are sister Bhavna and brother Vikas). I never had any pressure on me. My brother had to handle the responsibility of the family. My father (late Prem Kohli) was a very independent man and worked very hard for what he had in life. Being ignored for the Delhi under-14 squad was shattering for me. You know well how the system works in Delhi. The option was to do someone a favour and get me into the team. That option was presented to my father and was promptly dismissed. Next year I got into the team on my credentials. We have been honest to each other of what we have been doing. My mother (Saroj) never pampered me and never spoke about my cricket. My family support has been priceless.”

The Indian middle-order batsman was then asked whether he fears anything, on and off the field. Kohli said that he actually did. He admitted that he had the fear of failure pretty much until the England tour last year. But the tour proved to be a great learning curve for him. “I used to have fear of failure until the England tour last year. After that phase I learnt lot of things. You can’t be attached to anything for life. Be it your friends, family, even children. You can’t be attached to the extent that you can’t let go. I used to put a lot of pressure on myself. I felt the failures. I learnt a lot. Getting rid of the fear of failure is hard. I did it by not worrying about the result. At times it still creeps in but I am learning to conquer it.”

Kohli also talked about how he feels that he has evolved as batsman over time. Mixing caution with aggression has been the key to the success for Kohli, who has already hit 23 ODI centuries in 165 matches. “I feel I have. I can vouch for that in the one-day format where I have definitely evolved as a batsman. In Test cricket I haven’t reached a stage where I can say I feel like things will run in auto mode. In Test cricket I am still not there yet honestly. I want to go out there and play according to the situation and mould my game. I do that in one-day situation. I have certainly improved as a Test batsman but to get that mindset, I need more time,” Kohli quoted.

He also said that he would love to be remembered as a player who had an impact on the game of cricket. He says that giving back to the game that has given him so much is of top priority for him. “As someone who made a difference to cricket. This game has given me so much. I must give back something very positive to motivate youngsters to take up this sport. Get Test cricket back to where it belongs. At the top. I have watched Test cricket at stadiums full of audience. I want to see that happen. If I can finish my Test career with strong friendships with players with whom I have played, it would make me very happy,” he added.