Watching Virat Kohli bat in one-day internationals right now feels almost effortless. There’s calm in his body language, clarity in his shot selection and a sense that he’s enjoying the game as much as ever. Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif believes this ease is exactly what makes Virat Kohli so dangerous and why his journey with team India may be far from over.
Mohammed Kaif recently praised Virat Kohli’s approach to ODI cricket, suggesting that he plays the format with the comfort and confidence of someone competing in Delhi Local League. According to him, Virat Kohli looks relaxed at the crease, engages easily with teammates, reads bowlers sharply and balances aggression with patience. Kaif feels that if this hunger and motivation stay intact, Kohli could comfortably continue representing India for five or six years more, even beyond the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
He wrote, “Virat Kohli plays ODIs like he is playing Delhi local league. Looks relaxed, jokes with mates, always has a smile on his face. Takes a hard look at bowlers, plays aggressively but shows patience. If he continues like this, remains motivated, he can keep playing for India for the next 5-6 years.”
https://x.com/MohammadKaif/status/2010649652807516388
Virat Kohli’s form continues to back up that belief. In the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara on Sunday, he scored a fluent 93 off 91 balls, marking his seventh consecutive fifty-plus score in the format. With two matches still left in the series, fans are already dreaming of him extending the streak further, possibly turning the next two innings into centuries.
What stands out is how Virat Kohli has evolved without losing his core strengths. His ODI batting remains calculated and low-risk but there is now an added freedom. He’s hitting more boundaries, taking on bowlers earlier and allowing his natural stroke play to flow — all while maintaining control.
This purple patch becomes even more impressive when seen in context. After retiring from Test cricket in May, Virat Kohli returned to international action during the ODI leg of India’s Australia tour in October. His initial outings were shaky, with two consecutive ducks raising questions about his future, especially with limited ODIs scheduled before the 2027 World Cup. But starting with an unbeaten 74 in Sydney, Virat Kohli silenced doubts in style.
Since then, he has scored 677 runs in seven innings at an astonishing average of 135.4, including three centuries and four fifties. He also turned back the clock domestically, scoring 131 and 77 for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, his first appearance in the tournament in 15 years.
In the recent ODI against New Zealand, Virat Kohli crossed another historic milestone, becoming only the third player to score over 28,000 runs in international cricket. He moved past Kumar Sangakkara to become the second highest run-scorer overall. In 557 matches, Kohli now has 28,068 runs at an average of 52.66, along with 84 centuries and 146 fifties.
For Virat Kohli, this phase feels less about proving a point and more about pure love for the game. And if this joy continues, Indian cricket may get to enjoy his brilliance for many years to come.
