Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Virat Kohli’s stunning return to form in ODIs has nothing to do with technical tweaks and everything to do with mindset. According to Ashwin, Kohli has simply rediscovered the joy of playing cricket, the same carefree freedom that defined him as a young boy, and that emotional clarity is now powering one of the finest phases of his career.
Ashwin made the observation after Kohli’s fluent 93 off 91 balls in the opening ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara, where India chased down a tricky 301-run target. Kohli fell seven runs short of what would have been his 85th international hundred, but his innings once again showcased complete control, composure, and authority at the crease.
While Kohli was dismissed in the 90s for the first time since 2023, his knock had already done its job. He dominated the middle overs, kept the run rate in check, and ensured India were always ahead of the asking rate, laying the platform for a four-wicket win. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin offered a fascinating insight into Kohli’s mental transformation.
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“He hasn’t changed anything technically. He has just decided to enjoy his cricket again,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. “It looks like there is nothing going on in his mind. He is batting with the freedom of his childhood, but with the experience of so many years. When you are in the right space in life and you take joy from the game, this is how you play.”
The numbers back up Ashwin’s view. Since returning to competitive cricket in October 2025, Kohli has scored 463 runs in 7 matches at an average of 93.8, with 2 centuries and 3 fifties. Even more telling is his strike rate of 106.1, which is well above his career average in ODIs. This shows not just consistency, but also a clear intent to score faster and keep the pressure on bowlers.
After retiring from Test cricket midway through IPL 2025, Kohli has clearly reshaped his white-ball approach. He now looks more aggressive early in his innings, ensuring India never gets stuck in a slow phase. His ability to counterattack at No. 3 has given the rest of the batting line-up freedom to play their natural games.
After being named Player of the Match in Vadodara, Kohli himself explained this shift.
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“I’m not thinking about milestones at all,” he said. “If we were batting first, I would have gone harder. My job at No. 3 is to get the team into a good position. If it’s tricky, I try to counterattack without doing anything outrageous.”
Kohli’s revival was already evident in domestic cricket. In December, he returned to the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi after 16 years and immediately delivered, scoring 131 and 77 in two matches. Now 37, Kohli looks mentally fresh, hungry, and fully aligned with India’s future plans. With the 2027 ODI World Cup firmly on his radar, this version of Kohli—relaxed, fearless, and supremely confident—might just be one of the most dangerous the cricketing world has ever seen.
