Melbourne:Everything looks the same but something still seems to have changed. Virat Kohli is back in his element and has again become the tormentor of the bowlers that he used to be three summers ago. But Kohli the public person seems to have undergone a sea-change.
He is still the King Kohli' surrounded by people and his distinct swagger remains very much part of his personality but at the same time, he looks a completely different human being and very approachable. Even if you are not a manic cricket fan, you would still like to break a barricade to go near him and may be just say 'hi'. There is every possibility that you will get a smile back in return and that would seem very sincere, deep and genuine. Your day will be made and you will go home a happy man.
Cricket is a performing art and as an artist, it is not just his achievements but the connect that he is slowly creating with his fans will contribute immensely to his rich legacy. It is not just about eulogizing the alpha-male who you see on TV screens every night as you savour your dinner. Now the relationship seems far more organic where the adulation from fans and the reciprocation from their hero has become a two-way street.
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Success teaches you a lot but failure most certainly is the biggest teacher. It makes you perhaps explore your inner vulnerabilities and you start relating more with the common public. In these 14 days across different Australian cities, watching Kohli connect with his fans, give autographs, selfies, stand for a group picture or a share a moment or two with familiar faces from the media would make one feel that he no longer wants to alienate people.
Noted actor Will Smith after the Oscar-gate had referred to what colleague Denzel Washington had told him, At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you. It is not that he did not stop by for selfies, autographs or a chat earlier but the same Kohli in Australia 2015, England 2017 or 2019 looked like a man from another planet.
During his peak, if one looks at some of the selfies that Kohli gave, it seemed like another mandatory exercise. Perhaps the three years of unconditional support as he battled a lean patch made him realize the need to carry people along. In Melbourne, in Sydney, in Perth and in Adelaide, this correspondent met at least 10-15 different people who showed their selfies with Kohli while a few others showed autographs on caps. A few also met him at a mall and some caught hold of him by the coffee shop.