Virat Kohli produced another spectacular ODI performance as he smashed an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls against the West Indies, helping India complete a comfortable chase. The former India captain struck 10 fours and nine sixes during his explosive innings, with the knock taking him beyond the 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket. Kohli’s nine sixes also marked his highest tally in a single ODI innings.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif was full of praise for Kohli and highlighted how the star batter has answered his critics through his performances. Kaif specifically addressed the scrutiny surrounding Kohli’s decision to live outside India, arguing that his location has had no impact on his cricket.
“If Kohli can play such knocks, it doesn’t matter if he stays in London or America. He can stay wherever he wants. A lot of people also made an issue out of him staying outside. Whatever it is, it has not affected his game at all,” Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
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Kaif also pointed towards several of Kohli’s recent achievements, saying the veteran has continued to deliver on the biggest stages despite the criticism surrounding him. “He has shut everybody’s mouths. Everyone questioned how he would score while staying out, but he has put a full stop to all of it. He was the Player of the Tournament in the 2023 World Cup, Man of the Match in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, scored a hundred in the Champions Trophy, and was Man of the Match in the IPL 2026 final. He has not left any opportunity,” he added.
Kohli’s recent ODI form has further strengthened that argument. Across his last 11 ODI innings, he has scored more than 900 runs and registered four centuries. His latest hundred came after a difficult period in Australia, where consecutive ducks led to increased criticism. Against West Indies, however, Kohli responded in emphatic fashion, controlling the chase while maintaining an aggressive approach.
Kaif also praised the pride and clarity Kohli continues to show whenever he represents India. According to the former batter, Kohli’s ability to remain focused after 18 years of international cricket has played a major role in his consistency. “When Kohli steps out in the Indian jersey, he takes pride. Everyone takes pride, crores of people play, but he takes a whole different pride. He has already played for 18 years, has 55 ODI hundreds, but still says he is lucky for the opportunity every time he plays,” Mohammad Kaif said.
“It means that he knows how lucky he is to showcase his skillset. He has such a clear mindset. A clear mindset is a big reason for his success right now,” he added.
Kaif believes Kohli is currently batting with a level of control and dominance that has been rarely seen in his career. He also pointed out that the batter has continued to perform despite questions over his age and the growing presence of younger players.
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“I think he is in the best form of his life. There were many questions on his age and new players waiting to be given chances. Many pundits also have such statements many times. But I think Kohli is proving everyone wrong at every stage. This was a completely different knock,” Mohammad Kaif said. “There was pure dominance. I feel he is actually peaking now. I have not seen such a quick and controlled knock from him. He has been scoring hundreds, but I am talking about his mindset and approach,” he added.
The 139-run innings was another reminder of Kohli’s consistency in ODI cricket. He now has 15,080 ODI runs in 315 matches and 303 innings, including 55 centuries and 79 fifties, with a career-best score of 183. The hundred also took his international century tally to 86, further underlining his extraordinary record across formats.
