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India’s top-order Virat Kohli put on a show in Ranchi with a match-winning 135-run knock against South Africa in ODI series opener. Playing only in ODI format, there were speculations about Kohli’s ODI future and whether he will play the ODI World Cup 2027. Kohli let the bat do the talking with his 83rd international century and then indirectly answered Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) and head coach Gautam Gambhir’s directive to play domestic cricket. After India’s 17-run win in Ranchi, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak was asked about Kohli’s ODI future and chances of playing in World Cup 2027. Kotak had a very straightforward answer as he hailed the 37-year-old.
“I don’t know why we need to look at all this. He’s really batting well. I don’t see any reason we need to talk about his future,” Kotak said at the post-match press conference. “It’s just the way he’s batting, it’s just brilliant, man. I wouldn’t really. The way he’s performing, the way he maintains his fitness, there are no questions about anything.”
“It was an outstanding knock, obviously. He batted really well, not just in the one-day format but all the formats he has done well. This was the 52nd ODI hundred he got, so he’s a thoroughly outstanding player, and he took responsibility, and the way he batted was very good,” Kotak added.
Kohli’s clear-cut message after 6th ODI century vs South Africa
‘Player of the match’ Kohli said that he has been hitting the ball well in the nets. He hinted that he won’t play domestic cricket until there’s a dip in form. For now, he is just focusing on being mentally and physically fit.
“I’ve played 300-odd ODI games and so much cricket over the last 15-16 years. As I said, if you’re in touch with the game and you know that when you’re hitting balls at practice, your reflexes are there, your physical ability is there to bat long,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation.
“If you can bat an hour-and-a-half, two hours in the nets without taking a break, you’re kind of meeting all those markers. Yes, I understand if there’s a dip in form, you look for games and you try to get that form back. But as long as you’re hitting the ball well and you’re playing good cricket, I think at this stage with the experience that I have, for me, it’s about being physically fit, mentally ready and excited to play the games that I’m playing. And more or less, everything else should take care of itself.”
Kohli will be seen in action again when India take on Proteas in the second ODI of the series at Raipur's Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on December 3.
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