Kohli does not feel the need to apologise for past mistakes

Sabi Hussain

New Delhi, April 25

A day after BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya said the board would keep a close watch on Virat Kohli both on and off the field, the India Test captain chose to steer clear of any controversy regarding his ill-tempered rant against a senior journalist during the ODI World Cup by stating that he doesn’t believe in “living in the past” and that the Perth incident is a closed chapter for him.

The flamboyant cricketer had a run-in with the journalist of an Indian English daily after a nets session ahead of India’s league game against the West Indies when he mistook him for another scribe against whom he held a grudge and hurled choicest of abuses at him. 

When Kohli was asked at a promotional event whether he would like to apologise for the his abusive language, he skirted the issue. “Well, I don’t live in the past and I don’t want to comment about the things which have happened in the past. So, I am not here to create any fresh controversy. Let’s keep it simple and I like things that way only,” Kohli told reporters after the launch of his own chain of fitness centres.

Kohli’s comments assume significance as they came close on the heels of BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya’s statement. 

“Well, it (Kohli’s outbursts) has to be examined and whatever corrective measures are needed will have to be taken. I’m not brushing it aside, but I’m not saying all is well either,” Dalmiya had said.

Kohli’s unprovoked outburst had earned him a warning from the BCCI during the tournament. Earlier this month, he had lashed out at the critics who were critical of his performance in the World Cup semifinal that India lost to Australia, saying they “should be ashamed of themselves” and that “no one has won more matches” than him in the last five years.

Kohli is widely seen as India’s future captain in all three formats and his behaviour and some of his comments have attracted criticism. “It (captaincy) has really helped me in becoming a better cricketer and a person as well. It might help me in becoming calmer. I enjoy captaining the side which I was doing in the ODI format when MS was carrying an injury or rested. I like to get the guys together and give them equal ownership in the team. I believe in creating an environment where everyone contributes to the team’s success. It’s not left up to the senior players or captain. That way, you play in a united manner. I can feel that my game has improved and the captaincy has brought out the best in me,” the 26-year-old said.

Kohli has inherited a rich cricketing legacy from Dhoni and the young cricketer understands it well that it will be difficult for him to maintain it. “We should appreciate what he (Dhoni) has done to the Indian cricket. He has done a great job. I totally understand that it’s a huge responsibility to be in that position now. I can realise that,” he said.