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Matthew Hayden hails Virat Kohli as a Ferrari for his energy and elite standards as Kohli returns for India in ODIs, eyeing the 2027 World Cup after Champions Trophy 2025 glory.
Virat Kohli in motion in the course of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (AFP)
Legendary Australian batter Matthew Hayden has lavished praise on Virat Kohli, calling him a “Ferrari” for his high-octane presence and elite standards because the Indian star gears up for his return to international cricket.
Kohli will don the India jersey for the primary time since leading his team to the Champions Trophy 2025 title — his first major ICC triumph in eight years — when he features within the upcoming ODI series against Australia.
The 36-year-old, who has since retired from Tests and T20Is, has expressed his intention to proceed within the 50-over format with an eye fixed on the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Nonetheless, chief selector Ajit Agarkar recently revealed that each Kohli and former skipper Rohit Sharma remain “non-committal” about their long-term availability for the tournament.
‘Virat Is High Octane — A Ferrari’
Speaking on the All Over Bar The Cricket YouTube show, Hayden said Kohli’s charisma and energy on the sphere make him one of the crucial polarising yet charming figures in world cricket.
“Virat is high octane, he’s a Ferrari. He’s stuffed with noise, he’ll be gesturing to the gang. You’ll have Jiostar specializing in all the pieces he does on the cricket field. And all the pieces is so big that it’s hard to not polarise your views on it because he’s so bloody good,” Hayden said.
Hayden, who faced Kohli-led India in several fierce contests, also lauded the Indian icon’s longevity and professionalism.
“He has played 302 matches and got 14,000 runs — and what about that average in One-Day cricket? It’s unbelievable,” Hayden said.
“His key’s that he’s a gold star together with his fitness and preparation. In my head, I’ve got him specializing in 2027. He desires to be an element of that.”
Kohli’s record in Australia, certainly one of his best hunting grounds, backs up the hype across the talisman as well. Across 29 ODIs, he has amassed 1,327 runs at a mean of 51.9, including five centuries and 6 fifties.
Back in Blue
Kohli last played competitive cricket in June, when he finally realized his long-standing dream of lifting the IPL trophy with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Since then, he’s taken a well-earned break, spending time together with his family in London.
Now back in India, Kohli has joined the ODI squad led by Shubman Gill ahead of the team’s departure to Australia, where all eyes, as Hayden predicts, will once more be on him.
“He’s just so bloody good,” Hayden repeated. “When Virat’s on the sphere, the entire world is watching.”
After training in the sphere of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the sphere of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
October 17, 2025, 16:26 IST
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