Virat Kohli reacts to critics: ‘Don’t want to hang around for the sake of it’

Virat Kohli was thrilled and emotional at the same time as he ended a nearly 15-month-long wait for a Test hundred. The former captain sent a message to his detractors after bringing up his seventh Test hundred in Australia, leading India’s charge in Perth on Day 3 of the first Test between India and Australia on Sunday, November 24.
Virat Kohli also thanked his wife Anushka Sharma for being a pillar of support through thick and thin. The superstar cricketer said it was amazing to contribute to the team’s cause and that getting his hundred with his wife in the stands was ‘even more special’.
“I take pride in performing for my country. The fact that she is here makes it even more special for me,” Virat Kohli said.
AUS vs IND Day 3: Highlights
Questions were asked about his place in the side after he failed in India’s shocking 0-3 defeat to New Zealand in a home Test series earlier in November. A few had even suggested that India should look to move from Kohli.
KOHLI’S SUBTLE MESSAGE TO CRITICS
Kohli had an understated yet firm message to his critics.
“Yeah, Anushka has been right by my side through thick and thin. So, she knows everything that goes on behind the scenes. What goes on on the head when you don’t play as well or make a few mistakes. I just want to contribute to the team’s cause, I am not a guy who wants to hang around just for the sake of it,” he said.
Virat Kohli had been low on confidence, especially when playing for the Test team. The former captain was troubled by spin against New Zealand and it looked like his game against the red ball was on the wane.
Kohli was dismissed for 5 in the first innings of the Perth Test. After all the hype in the lead-up to the big-ticket Border-Gavaksar Trophy, it was disappointing to see Kohli get out after having been nervous in the middle on a spicy pitch at the Optus Stadium.
However, Kohli was in complete control from start to finish in the second innings. Kohli took his time to settle into his innings and punished the Australian bowlers whenever there were loose balls. Kohli brought out his trademark drives, cover and straight, to show glimpses of a return to his vintage self.
Kohli seemed to have learnt from Yashasvi Jaiswal the importance of back foot play and scoring behind the V. Yashasvi was sublime earlier in the day, hitting 161 in his maiden Test Down Under.
Kohli also broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most hundreds by an Indian in Test cricket in Australia.
MOST HUNDREDS IN AUSTRALIA BY INDIANS (TESTS)
Virat Kohli – 7 in 14 matches
Sachin Tendulkar – 6 in 20 matches
Sunil Gavaskar – 5 in 11 matches
VVS Laxman – 4 in 15 matches
Cheteshwar Pujara – 3 in 11 matches
Virat Kohli also set an all-time record of most hundreds by an overseas batter against Australia in Australia across all formats.