The 33-year-old Kohli has shrugged off his long dry runs with the bat in the Asia Cup, including two consecutive half-centuries, including 60 against Pakistan, in their defeat in Dubai on Sunday.
Kohli took a month off to recharge ahead of the six-nation tournament, which serves as a tune-up for the T20 World Cup starting next month.
The former captain’s poor form became a constant topic of discussion in world cricket, but he said that tough times had exposed his true friends.
“I will say only one thing, when I stepped down as Test captain, I only got a message from MS Dhoni and no one else,” Kohli said.
“Many people have my number and talk on TV but no one has texted me. If you want to give me suggestions, give me one by one, otherwise it means nothing to me.”
Kohli made his Test and One Day International debut in 2011 when Dhoni was the captain.
Kohli said, ‘This is how you show the respect and association you have with someone. “There are some connections that are genuine and have some security.”
The former top-order Test batsman relinquished the T20 captaincy after last year’s World Cup and was soon dropped as an ODI.
In the worst phase of his international career.
Kohli, who has not scored an international century since November 2019, relinquished the Test leadership in January as Rohit Sharma became the captain across all formats.
Critics, among them former World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev, also suggested that Kohli should be dropped.
– ‘Happy again’ – but Kohli insisted such remarks never bothered him, as his 44-ball 60 helped India to 181-7, which Pakistan scored on Sunday in a thrilling Overhauled with a ball in Super Four competition.
Kohli told reporters, ‘To be honest, I never paid attention to these things.
“Played 14 years and it doesn’t happen by chance. My job is to work hard on my game, something I look forward to doing.”
Kohli said that he was welcomed into India’s dressing room after a month-long break and was “absolutely looking forward to playing again and feeling good while batting.”
Kohli, who has scored 27 centuries in 102 Tests, recently opened up on his struggle with mental health, admitting that he tried to fake intensity on the field.
“It’s not bad to take a break and I hope this will give strength to people and they will be able to let go of their emotions,” Kohli said.
“Anyone can have such feelings but it is important to recognize and take care of it.
“If you ignore it you will be more disappointed. I am happy, I am excited and enjoying my cricket again which was the most important thing for me.”
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