Many questioned Virat Kohli‘s decision to retire from Tests at 36; there were even rumours about him getting back to the format, given India’s struggles, but then, it hindsight, it could have been the correct decision from the former India skipper. Now, in the last two ODI series, vs AUS and SA, he has been excellent.
Virat Kohli says ‘I don’t think I have played..’
On Saturday, in the third ODI vs South Africa, he remained unbeaten on 65 from 45, to take India to the series win. Earlier, he had scored twin tons in the series. So, that just explains, wonders playing only one format has done for Kohli. So, his 2025 stats in ODI read as — 13 matches, 651 runs at an average of 65, with three tons and four fifties,
Even Virat Kohli could not hide his joy, and revealed that this was the best he was feeling in years. “Honestly, just playing the way I have in this series has been the most satisfying thing for me. I don’t think I have played at this level for a good 2-3 years now and I feel really free in my mind. Just the whole game is coming together nicely,” he said at the post match conference.
The struggles are real
The 37-year-old legend also opened up on how he doubted himself in phases of his career, and is glad to be back at his best. “I know when I can bat like that in the middle, it helps the team a long way. Makes me confident that, in any situation in the middle, I can handle that and bring it in favour of the team.
“When you play for that long – 15-16 years, you do doubt yourself. Especially as a batter, when one mistake can get you out. It’s a whole journey of getting better and getting better as a person along the way. It improves you as a person, and it improves your temperament as well.”
