Mumbai: At an age when most cricketers begin to slow down, Virat Kohli is doing the opposite—reshaping his one-day international game to remain a decisive force for India. The veteran batter showcased this evolution with a match-winning innings against New Zealand, underlining how adaptability has become the cornerstone of his longevity.
Batting at number three, Kohli struck a fluent 93 off 91 balls as India successfully chased a challenging target of 301, sealing a four-wicket win in Vadodara. After the early loss of Rohit Sharma, Kohli chose intent over caution, immediately applying pressure on the bowlers instead of settling into survival mode.
Partnering skipper Shubman Gill in a crucial 118-run stand, Kohli used calculated aggression and sharp strike rotation to shift momentum decisively in India’s favour. His approach, he later explained, is rooted in trusting his instincts early in the innings rather than waiting for conditions to dictate terms.
Now focused exclusively on the ODI format at the international level, Kohli has enjoyed a remarkable run of consistency, registering five consecutive fifty-plus scores. In his 17th year of international cricket, he believes the first 20 balls he faces are key to setting the tone—not through reckless shots, but by backing his strengths and forcing the opposition to respond.
The innings once again highlighted why Kohli remains one of the game’s elite performers. By blending experience with evolution, the 37-year-old continues to stay relevant, influential, and ahead of the competition—proving that reinvention, not age, defines greatness in modern cricket.
