India’s latest batting sensation Virat Kohli feels that he hasn’t “changed his personality because of critics”, and was looking to win as many games possible for India in the future.
“I have always had the self—belief to go forward. A lot of people criticised me for the way I used to be off the field. I did make a few mistakes but I don’t think that I have changed my personality.
I am still the same person at heart. It’s all about making your own identity at what you are and not changing for what people want you to be,” the Indian vice—captain said during a function where he was unveiled as Ambassador for ICC’s partnership with Room to Read here on Saturday.
“You would rather be who you are, rather than changing for someone else. That gives you a lot of satisfaction,” the 23—year—old batsman, who has already scored 11 ODI hundreds apart from a Test century at Adelaide.
Having scored a magnificent 183 in a mammoth chase against Pakistan, the youngster said that it was his aim to score a big hundred rather than scoring 110, 115s.
“It’s the team which comes first. I was getting a lot of 110s and 115s and getting out in the 40th and 42nd over. So I asked myself that why don’t I get a big one. I decided to apply myself and not make the mistakes.”
With the one—off T20 against South Africa coming up followed by the IPL, Kohli’s aim is to enjoy his game as much as possible.
“I want to enjoy myself every time I got out there in the middle. Keep myself motivated and looking to do that everywhere.”
The young star also had a word of advice for the young kids.
“Be true to yourself and do whatever you feel like but with full passion. If you want to pursue education or sport do that with passion because no one can else force you to do something that you don’t want. There will be a few distractions but one shouldn’t lose focus,” he said.
‘Room to Read’ is an international not—for—profit organisation that aimed to promote literacy and gender equality in education. Kohli would feature in a children’s book that will be launched ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012
Kohli joined fellow leading international stars Shane Watson of Australia and Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews in promoting the partnership that was first launched at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
By publishing a book on Virat, it is hoped that Room to Read will be able to bring together the joy of reading and the passion for cricket on a common platform for many young children across India, the ICC said in a press release.
Room to Read works in collaboration with local communities, partner organisations and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and to ensure girls have the skills and support needed to complete their secondary education.
Since 2000, Room to Read has impacted the lives of more than six million children in Asia and Africa, and aims to reach 10 million children by 2015. In India itself, Room to Read has reached out to more than 1.3 million children.
Kohli, who was involved in a number of promotional activities for the partnership during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, will now make a number of appearances on behalf of Room to Read during the course of the year.
“I am excited about the opportunity to support the partnership between ICC and Room to Read to encourage children to read. I really enjoyed meeting children who have benefited from the work of Room to Read, during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and seeing the impact the organisation had achieved in inspiring young people to learn.
“I am looking forward to working with Room to Read on the development of a book for children which will be published in Hindi and Telugu, and will be given to children across India in the build—up to the ICC World Twenty20,” he said.
