Kohli moves past ‘very immature’ ways

India captain Virat Kohli says he's a changed cricketer and won't be picking fights in Australia this summer.

The combative Kohli has had several fiery encounters with the Australian side over the years and while he says he won’t take a backwards step, he also won’t go searching for any trouble.

"If they (Australia) want to play a certain way, we will reciprocate," Kohli told a pre-departure media conference in India.

"That is how the game of cricket goes. But at the same time, in our own minds we have to keep it competitive.

"We were always the ones giving it back, we were never the ones starting anything.

"So long as it doesn't start, we have no problem just focusing on our game and doing what we need to do."

The Indian skipper acknowledges he’s actively chased on-field verbals in the past but, at the age of 30, insists he’s mellowed.

"When it comes to getting engaged in an argument on the field, or in a fight as people want to call it excitedly, I have been completely OK playing without an altercation," he said.

"I am very happy within my own space.

"On a personal level, I don't find the need to go and find these things anymore.

"I have enough belief in my ability, I can play without a reason to pump myself up.

"Those were very immature things that I used to feed on in my early days of my career, so that I can get pumped.

"Now, being captain of the team, you literally have no room for anything else but to think of what the team wants all the time.

"So you don't find the need for these things at all."

Since losing 2-0 on the 2014-15 tour of Australia, India have lost just two of 14 Test series, including four one-off matches.

The losses came this year – in South Africa 2-1 and in England 4-1 - and the Indians are yet to win a Test series in Australia.

But having held on to their No.1 Test ranking, Kohli is eyeing a slice if history in the four-match Domain Test series, starting in Adelaide on December 6.

"We have spoken as a team after England and everyone is keen to correct those mistakes," Kohli said.

"Our focus will be how the batsmen perform on this tour because the bowlers are in a great space ... we feel we can pick up 20 wickets in every game."

Kohli, the world’s top-ranked Test batsman, has toured Australia twice before, scoring five centuries in eight Tests and averaging 62.

And he says he doesn't want his teammates to rely on his run-scoring to post competitive totals.

"Individuals should take more responsibility," he said.

"Show more character in tough situations and find a solution rather than thinking the solution will appear from somewhere.

"We need to get more consistent as a team."

India Tour of Australia 2018-19

Gillette T20s v India

First T20: November 21, the Gabba

Second T20: November 23, MCG

Third T20: November 25, SCG

Domain Tests v India

First Test: December 6-10, Adelaide Oval

Second Test: December 14-18, Perth Stadium

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 3-7, SCG

Gillette ODI Series v India

First ODI: January 12, SCG (D/N)

Second ODI: January 15, Adelaide Oval (D/N)

Third ODI: January 18, MCG (D/N)