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Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli is not someone who is motivated by noise or praise from outside. It’s actually his mindset that really pushes him forward, and now his long-time teammate Ajinkya Rahane has explained this side of Kohli very clearly.
Ajinkya Rahane decodes Virat Kohli’s attitude and mindset
For years, fans and critics have attempted to define what fuels Virat Kohli’s legendary intensity. Recently, Ajinkya Rahane, who played with and under Kohli for years, finally decoded the attitude that separates the former Indian captain from the rest.
Rahane said Kohli’s biggest strength is not just his passion or hunger for runs but also his attitude, and sometimes many have misinterpreted it as arrogance. He noted Kohli’s attitude of continuing to learn, never giving up and always fighting as central to his greatness.
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Ajinkya Rahane said on Cricbuzz, “Even though we talk a lot about Virat Kohli, it’s never enough. But I have seen him very closely, how he goes about his batting. We talk about his passion and his intentions every time. But I feel for me what stands out is his attitude. Learning attitude, never give up attitude. People outside think Virat is arrogant, but he is not. He comes in in the area.”
Inside Kohli’s pre-match routine: the power of silence
Before matches, Kohli slowly switches into his own world, as Rahane shares. He doesn’t talk much, even with his teammates. It’s not because of his ego or his attitude, but that’s how he prepares, and Rahane noted that this silence helps Kohli prepare fully for the match.
Rahane further shared, “I saw him two days before the match. He will hardly talk with people, even his teammates. That’s what makes him get in the zone. He will always wear his AirPods or try to listen to whatever he wants and likes to get in the zone.
He’s in the gym every time. We all know it. But to understand it, because initially, it took all the players a little while. Why is he doing this? But then I found out that he entered the zone without speaking to the players or without speaking to anyone. He actually likes doing that.
Why Virat Kohli is never satisfied
The Mumbaikar also praised Kohli’s work ethic and said that the former Indian captain always wants and tries to improve and thinks about how he can help the team more despite all he has achieved.
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Rahane concluded by saying, “His attitude is incredible. His work ethic is incredible. 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.”
ODI King in full flow: Kohli’s red-hot form
This state of mind is clearly visible in its recent form. In his last six matches, Kohli has been in frightening form. The former Indian captain scored an unbeaten 74 against Australia in the final ODI after being bowled out for two ducks on the tour last year and Ethos carries this dangerous form home.
The Indian batting maestro smashed unbeaten 135, 102 and 65 against South Africa in the recent three-match ODI series at home. Even in domestic cricket, his hunger has not diminished. Kohli made a brilliant 131 against Andhra Pradesh and followed it up with a solid 77 against Gujarat in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
He was supposed to play the third match for Delhi, but national duty did not allow it. Now, Kohli, who is now only active in ODIs, after retiring from Test and T20I cricket, must be looking forward to extending his dominance against New Zealand in the ongoing three-match ODI series at home.
