Not in Frame of Mind to Prove Myself in Any Country: Virat Kohli

In 2014, Virat scored 134 runs from five Tests as India lost the series 1-3, despite taking the lead at Lord’s.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli address a press conference ahead of the first Test against England in Birmingham. 

(Photo: AP)

Virat Kohli is not weighed down by the disastrous tour of 2014, the chatter about his rivalry with James Anderson and the debate on if his legacy will be defined by how he does in England.

On the eve of the first of the much-anticipated five-match Test series, India skipper Kohli said he is not in the "frame of mind to prove myself in any country".

In 2014, he scored 134 runs from five Tests as India lost the series 1-3, despite taking the lead at Lord's.

Back in the day when I did not know better, these things used to bother me because I used to read a lot. But honestly - and I’m not saying this because I’m sitting here in front of all of you -- I genuinely don’t read anything. I have no idea what’s going on.

Virat Kohli

"Because when I walk out to bat, I have the bat in hand. Not people who sit on the outside who write and predict things," Kohli said.

134 runs in 10 Test innings is not what one would expect from one of the world's best batsmen, but Kohli remains unperturbed.

I need to be in the most convinced and the clearest mental space that I can be and that happens when I’m just focused on what I need to do. Very soon, I’m going to complete 10 years. I didn’t think 10 years ago that I’d be sitting here in my career.

Virat Kohli

"So I have no complaints whatsoever and I'm not in the frame of mind to prove myself in any country. I just want to perform for the team, score runs for the team, and take Indian cricket forward and that's my only motive," said Kohli.

When asked about the challenge of facing veteran pacer Anderson again, he replied, "It's pretty simple. You focus on what you need to do as a batsman, the plans that you want to take into the middle, and you follow your instinct. You have to have total confidence and belief in your own ability. That's something that gives you total clarity when you head out to bat.”

"... That's basically what gives me clarity, which is to believe in my game and it boils down to belief. Even on a flat pitch in India, if you don't have belief, you'll get out, even if the ball is doing nothing. If you have belief you can score a big hundred on a green wicket as well.

It all boils down to what you think in your head. Over the last few years I’ve been more comfortable in my headspace and how I think about the game and my own game as well. I’ve worked hard on it. I’m pretty confident of my own ability and that’s the only thing I’m going to focus on.

Virat Kohli

For Kohli, this is another heady curve in his already long career. He has been here before as part of the 2011 Test squad, and then again in 2014 when he suffered a rout at the hands of Anderson.

"We keep speaking about it regularly. It's a small thing that changes the mind set - when you take an adverse situation as an opportunity than something to be feared of, it totally changes the mindset. That's constantly what we speak about."

The skipper and ace batsman spoke about handing the dual responsibilities as well as keeping the side focused ahead of an intense five Tests in six weeks.

We need to take the good and bad equally, just be grateful for having the chance to represent our country and give our 100 percent. That’s something we’re going to be focused on this series.

Virat Kohli

(With inputs from PTI)

For more news and updates from India's tour of England, click here.