Redefining twilight, shining bright: The ‘Virat Kohli’ way to shut critical noises about him

Virat Kohli (Source: AFP) 

It was the 12th of May earlier this year when every Indian cricket fan, analysts, and everyone was left shocked with just an Instagram post. However, this was not a routine Instagram post by any random personality, it was an Instagram post announcing ‘Test retirement’, shared by Virat Kohli, the man who is currently at the core of Indian cricket’s heart. 

Kohli’s retirement was nothing less than a ‘shock’ and ‘surprise’ for the fans who would be expecting him in action in the five-match Test series against England. Meanwhile, there came the opinions, both from within and outside the Indian management that Kohli is now ‘beyond his best’. 

Besides that, what the critics actually wanted to convey between the lines was that the 37-year-old is now an ‘used bullet’. Amidst all this, Kohli’s sensational response with his performance with the bat in ODIs is something that will seriously ‘damage the ego’ of the critics. 

Hence, here’s a look at how Kohli has turned 37 into new ‘27’ with his outstanding fitness and performance in ODIs and the way he has redefined career’s twilight. 

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The purple patch after getting called ‘non committal’

They wrote him off, painted him like a ‘used bullet’ and a ‘story ended’, but Kohli didn’t come up with any video, tweet or any kind of social media interaction to answer his critics. Instead of that, he just managed to shut them up with his bat, delivering some sensational and unbelievable performances in the ODIs. 

Leading run-scorers for India in 2025 (ODIs)

Even in his 37, Kohli is the leading run-scorer for India in ODIs in the ongoing calendar year, scoring 651 runs in just 13 innings, with an amazing batting average of 65.10, hitting four half-centuries and three centuries, taking his ODI centuries from 50 to 53 in no time. He is being followed by Rohit Sharma at the second spot, 650 runs in 14 innings, averaging 50.00 with four half-centuries and two centuries. 

Apart from that, there came a time when the selectors said that Kohli and Rohit are ‘non committal’ for the ODI World Cup 2027 plans. But Kohli chose to burst this made-up narrative with his iconic outings in all the matches of the recently concluded three-match ODI series against South Africa. 

Virat Kohli in ODI assignments against Australia and South Africa

Scoring 302 runs in three innings, with two centuries and half-century and an astronomical average of 151.00, Kohli won the ‘Player of the Series’ award, playing in a league of his own.  

In his last six innings including both ODI series against Australia and South Africa, the modern master has aggregated 376 runs in six innings, with an unbelievable average of 94.00, hitting two centuries and two half-centuries despite two ducks in the first two ODIs against the Aussies. 

Eyeing ODI World Cup with more fatal version of himself 

In the last two years, Kohli has transformed into a more fatal version of himself, giving fans the memories of his prime time before COVID breakdown. After getting named ‘Player of the Tournament’ in ODI World Cup 2023, he has been the one of the two leading run-scorers for India in the ODIs. 

Leading run-scorers for India in ODIs since ODI World Cup 2023

The right-hander has scored 709 runs in 16 innings, with a brilliant batting average of 54.54, hitting four half-centuries and three centuries, being placed second in the list, following Rohit Sharma who has 807 runs, in 17 innings, with six half-centuries and two centuries. 

So, there’s no doubt in saying that Kohli, with his current form is beyond the limits of the ongoing ‘hollow narrative’ against him. One can easily commit this with confidence and belief on Kohli’s form and fitness that he will be one of the primary picks in India’s squad for the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa. 

Apart from every argument, the primary advocate for Kohli’s place in the ODI World Cup 2027 squad is his ‘running between the wickets’ even when he is just three short of 40. His ability to convert singles into doubles is something more than enough to shut down all ‘narrative markets’. 

Conclusion: Narratives and personal agendas must end now

After analyzing Kohli’s performances, fitness, form, and astonishing numbers, this part is for those analysts, journalists and former cricketers who have been running the negative narratives against Kohli and pushing their personal agendas without taking a pause. Guys, it’s time to come out of your narrow shells of ‘hatred, frustration, and paid PRs’. 

One must give the credit where it’s due and we all should sit back and watch the legend signing off in his style at the peak of his legacy, just like a day which is brightest just before the faded evening and night’s darkness start taking over. 

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