Asia Cup 2022: There was no difference to his mindset, attitude and work ethic in the last 2-3 years – KL Rahul on Virat Kohli

India’s limited-overs vice-captain KL Rahul revealed that there was no difference in the way Virat Kohli prepared for the matches despite being out of form in the last two to three years. Rahul said there was no difference in Kohli’s mindset, attitude, and work ethic in the last few years.

Kohli finally broke the jinx and scored an International century after a long gap of 1020 days against Afghanistan. The right-hander timed the ball to perfection and batted at the top of his game to deliver the goods for the team.

Kohli was relieved after scoring a century and it was palpable in the way he celebrated his hundred. The right-hander has been working hard on his fitness and he has been reaping rewards for the same.

“I think that celebration was more a relief,” KL Rahul, his skipper on the night, said in the post-match press conference.

“There was no difference to his mindset, attitude, and work ethic in the last 2-3 years, or before that when he used to score 100s every second game. There’s been no difference in the way he prepares for the game or his attitude towards representing the country and winning matches for his team. The desire and the passion he’s had has always remained the same,” Rahul said.

Rahul hailed Kohli for remaining in the moment and contributing to the team’s success in the last few years. Kohli has set lofty standards for himself and he was always compared with the same.

“I think we’re also very obsessed with numbers – only if centuries are being hit, a batter is considered to be in form – but his contributions in the last 2-3 years were phenomenal. He’s still the top-2 or top-3 run-getters in white-ball cricket in the last two or three years,” Rahul said.

“As a player, you always want to be perfect or challenge yourself. You run behind excellence. He’s always been that player. Even during this [lean] phase, he’s remained in the moment, he’s worked hard on his game, he’s remained patient – and that’s been a big learning for us in the group that these ups and downs are a part of every player’s career and how you remain balanced in your mindset, how you can focus on what’s in front of you today.

Kohli will look to continue the good show in the upcoming matches and his return to form is a big boost for the team ahead of the T20 World Cup.