Virat Kohli has never been a cricketer who draws motivation from outside noise, whether it is praise, criticism, or social media chatter. What truly drives the Indian cricket superstar is his powerful inner mindset, and that side of Kohli has now been beautifully explained by his longtime teammate Ajinkya Rahane. Having shared dressing rooms with Kohli for years, Rahane believes that what sets the former India captain apart is not just talent or aggression, but a deep-rooted attitude that pushes him to keep improving no matter how much he has already achieved.
For a long time, fans and critics have tried to decode the intensity that Kohli brings to the field. Rahane feels that this intensity is often misunderstood as arrogance, when in reality it is a reflection of Kohli’s hunger to get better every single day.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Ajinkya Rahane said, “However much we talk about Virat Kohli is never enough. I have seen him very closely. We always talk about his passion and intent, but for me what stands out is his attitude – the attitude of learning and never giving up. People think Virat is arrogant, but he is not. He just gets into the zone.”
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That “zone” is something Rahane has witnessed countless times. According to him, Kohli becomes noticeably quiet before a match. He keeps to himself, avoids unnecessary conversations, and often has his AirPods on while listening to music that helps him focus. This is not about ego or distancing himself from teammates. It is simply Kohli’s way of mentally preparing for battle. “That silence helps him switch on,” Rahane explained. “It took us some time to understand it, but that’s how he gets ready.”
Rahane also highlighted Kohli’s relentless work ethic, pointing out that despite having conquered almost every milestone in international cricket, the hunger to improve never fades. Whether it is in the gym, at practice, or during matches, Kohli is always searching for ways to contribute more to the team.
“His attitude and work ethic are amazing. Every time you see him, he is trying to change something, trying to improve, and always thinking about how he can help the team,” Ajinkya Rahane added.
That mindset has been clearly visible in Kohli’s recent performances. Over his last six matches, the Indian batting icon has been in outstanding form. After suffering two ducks on last year’s Australia tour, he bounced back strongly with an unbeaten 74 in the final ODI. At home against South Africa, Kohli was simply unstoppable, scoring 135, 102, and an unbeaten 65 in a dominant three-match ODI series.
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Even when he turned out in domestic cricket, the fire was still burning. Kohli struck a classy 131 against Andhra Pradesh and followed it up with a composed 77 against Gujarat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26. Although he missed Delhi’s third match due to national duties, his form sent a clear message.
Now focused solely on ODIs after stepping away from Tests and T20Is, Kohli will be keen to extend this rich vein of form against New Zealand in the ongoing three-match ODI series at home. With his mindset and hunger still intact, the legend shows no signs of slowing down.
