Amid questions about his future in international cricket following a disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series, Virat Kohli has made his intentions clear: he plans to continue representing India until the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Struggles in the BGT Series
Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest modern cricketers, had a series to forget in the recently concluded BGT against Australia. The Indian batter struggled against deliveries outside off-stump, with eight dismissals caught behind, including five by Australian pacer Scott Boland.
His lone highlights in the series were a resilient century in Perth and a 36-run knock in Melbourne. However, beyond these innings, Kohli managed only 54 runs across seven outings, raising questions about his mental approach to the game rather than technical flaws.
Focus on the Future
Despite his dip in form, Kohli remains committed to wearing the Indian jersey. According to a PTI report, the former captain is determined to stay in the game until the 2027 ODI World Cup, a goal that will play a significant role in his decisions moving forward.
The Indian team is currently in a transitional phase, and selectors face the challenge of balancing experience with fresh talent. A former national selector expressed concerns about selecting Kohli for the upcoming England tour in June without any red-ball cricket under his belt.
“It would be hard for selectors to pick either Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli based on IPL performance alone. There has to be some red-ball cricket before the England tour to justify their selection,” the selector told PTI.
Lack of Red-Ball Cricket
Kohli has shown no indication of participating in the Ranji Trophy, which resumes on January 23. Delhi’s schedule includes matches against Saurashtra (January 23-26) and Railways (January 30-February 2). However, Kohli’s packed calendar leaves him with limited opportunities for first-class cricket before India’s crucial England tour.
Upcoming Assignments
India’s next challenges include a three-match ODI series against England starting February 6, the ICC Champions Trophy from February 19 to March 9, and the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, which begins in late March.
While Kohli is expected to lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL, skipping the tournament for a county cricket stint in England could offer him valuable red-ball practice. Alternatively, he could negotiate with selectors to feature in India A’s shadow tour to England, providing him with game time ahead of the senior team’s Test series starting June 18 in Leeds.
A Champion’s Determination
Virat Kohli’s unwavering commitment to the game, despite this challenging phase, underlines his champion mindset. As he continues to navigate his way back to form, cricket fans and selectors alike will watch closely, hoping for a resurgence from the modern-day great.
