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"Flat Pitches And Just Hitting The Ball": Virat Kohli On Young Players’ ODI Approach

Jatin

Virat Kohli opened up on ODI cricket [Source: @iplt20.com]Virat Kohli opened up on ODI cricket [Source: @iplt20.com]

You can always trust Virat Kohli to call a spade a spade and that is exactly what he has done again. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter and modern-day ODI great dropped a truckload of truth bombs on the latest RCB Podcast episode.

The Beauty Of ODIs Is In the Grind: Kohli

Virat Kohli didn’t hold back when it came to defending his favourite format.

“You need to bring in all facets of your game to be successful in ODI cricket. You need to have patience, you need to have the explosive game, and you need to have stamina,” said Kohli.

He even said ODI cricket demands T20 intensity for 50 overs straight. Now that is a big ask but who better to say it than the man with 14,181 runs at an average of nearly 58 in the format?

Youngsters Glued To T20s

The former RCB captain, who is currently playing in IPL 2025, also pointed out how the next-gen cricketers are wired differently.

“Because they have gotten so used to flat pitches and just wanting to hit the ball that when it is not there, the second option for them, and I understand that because their cricket is based on a lot of T20 cricket and a lot of ODI cricket which has to be attractive for people to watch. Because people are also getting used to watching the slam bang, hit the ball, 6s, 4s all the time,” added the Indian stalwart.

Big Games Reveal Character, Not Bilaterals

Kohli didn’t mince words when talking about big tournaments.

“Through playing all the bilaterals and everything, the real characters of people will be revealed when the big tournaments come. Because in big tournaments, you have two games to mess up. So how people handle pressure, are they still able to follow through with their games? And the ones who will are the ones who will start becoming the match winners eventually,” reckoned Kohli.

And he us right. Bilaterals may pad the stats but it is the Champions Trophy, World Cups and high-pressure knockouts where legends are born.

It is worth mentioning that Kohli isn’t just defending the 50-over format; he is reminding the world that it still takes brains, brawn and a whole lot of bottle to thrive in it. 

As others chase the glitz of T20s or the grind of Test cricket, Virat’s message is clear: don’t sleep on ODIs as they separate the wheat from the chaff.