Former India opener Aakash Chopra said Virat Kohli has now become an intent machine. Praising him, Chopra stated that he played an important knock in a tricky chase against New Zealand. Kohli top-scored 74 off 51 as India beat New Zealand by five wickets (DLS target) in the first ODI at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra hailed Kohli and said: “The run machine has become an intent machine. The way he is playing, the way he is expressing himself, it is a challenge to capture it in words. Because everyone else was stumbling and he was flying. Yes, it was a small total, but things can get a little tricky because of rain. There was some help for fast bowlers, but India has won the game and has taken a 1-0 lead.”

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Until a few years back, Virat Kohli was known as a run accumulator, breaking free only when the situation needed. However, in the last year or so, he has batted in ultra-aggressive mode as well.

“Till 2025, his strike rate was 93.7. He used to hit a six every 94 balls. He used to run and run and make a lot of runs. But now look at this year. In 2026, the strike rate has become 120. He is hitting a six every 28th ball. From 94 to 28 balls, this is a huge change. This guy is absolutely stellar and he is rewinding the clock,” he concluded.