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After scoring his 52nd ODI hundred, Virat Kohli said he’s going to follow only one format of the sport.
Virat Kohli on the post-match presentation
Virat Kohli bagging one more Player of the Match award is a sight to behold for his fans. The previous Indian captain notched up his 52nd ODI hundred on Sunday, batting out the Proteas attack on the JSCA stadium in Ranchi. It was vintage Kohli at his best—fearless, fluent, and commanding. Be it running between the wickets or shielding the boundary line, Kohli’s athleticism was unmatchable. His class act could have fueled the rumours of him reversing his Test retirement, however the stalwart himself denied it categorically.
On being asked if he was going to play only one type of the sport in the long run, too, he replied affirmatively.
“Yes, that’s the way it’s at all times going to be. I’m just playing one type of the sport,” Kohli said on the post-match presentation.
“I’ve played 300 ODIs over 15–16 years, and so long as I’m in contact with the sport—reflexes sharp, fitness intact, and capable of bat long within the nets—I do know I’m meeting all of the markers. If there’s a dip in form, you search for games. But when you’re hitting well and mentally ready, experience takes over. For me, it’s about staying fit, focused, and excited to play—the whole lot else follows,” he added.
Earlier, a Cricbuzz report had stated that discussions have begun inside Indian cricket circles about approaching Virat Kohli to reconsider his Test retirement. The report also suggested that one other recently retired player could also be “open to a rethink” about returning to the longest format.
The developments are available the wake of India’s disappointing 2-0 home series defeat to South Africa, a result that has intensified debates across the team’s direction. Head coach Gautam Gambhir attributed the loss to a phase of “transition,” underscoring the shortage of experience in the present squad.
Since Gambhir took charge last 12 months, three senior pillars—Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin—have stepped away from Test cricket, leaving a leadership and experience void. Even before this regime, during Rahul Dravid’s tenure, stalwarts Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane had been steadily phased out of the setup.
With India struggling to search out stability in red-ball cricket, the potential for revisiting some retirements has suddenly turn into a talking point again.
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the best way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I actually have had …Read More
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the best way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I actually have had … Read More
Ranchi, India, India
November 30, 2025, 23:22 IST
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