After 55 ODI centuries, Virat Kohli embraces challenge of unlocking his new version

Virat Kohli has a new challenge at a stage of his career when most of the biggest milestones are already behind him. After scoring his 55th ODI century and crossing 15,000 runs in the format, the former India captain wants to push himself further, raise his intensity and discover a version of himself that can play a gear or two higher.

Two months after his last appearance for India, Kohli returned to international cricket in emphatic fashion. The 37-year-old smashed an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls to power India to an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram. India chased down 296 in just 41.4 overs, with Kohli combining his trademark control with a striking level of aggression.

“I've got a challenge at this stage of my career to up the ante and play a gear or two higher, and that was exciting for me to work on. Again, it excites you when you have to unlock a new version at this stage of your career, which will eventually help any team that you play for, be it India or in the IPL,” Kohli said after the match.

The innings offered an early glimpse of that new version. Kohli smashed 10 fours and nine sixes — the most he has hit in an ODI innings — and finished with a strike rate of 157.95. It was an attacking display from a batter whose ODI career has been built on consistency, intensity and an ability to control a chase.STAYING IN THE PRESENT

Having retired from Tests and T20Is, ODI cricket is now Kohli's only format for India. That has given the next phase of his international career a different shape, with the 2027 ODI World Cup already on the horizon.

At 37, Kohli is not looking to simply reproduce the version of himself that has delivered 55 ODI centuries. He wants to stretch his game while remaining physically and mentally prepared for the demands of international cricket.

“I think it's about understanding your game personally, especially at the stage that I'm at. It's about keeping myself physically very fit because the game is more or less in the mind,” Kohli said.

For Kohli, physical fitness is closely connected to his mental approach. Staying fit allows him to remain clear-headed, visualise situations and execute his plans effectively.

“I've never been a guy who practised a lot, even when I was playing all three formats, as you know. So, for me, it's about staying mentally fresh, staying in the present moment and just expressing myself out there. I want to play in a certain way and get used to this template more often,” Kohli said.

That mindset was evident in Thiruvananthapuram, where Kohli repeatedly took the attack to the West Indies. His aggressive approach ensured that India's chase never lost momentum as the hosts wrapped up the target with 50 balls to spare.PLAYING WITH A FREE MIND

The timing of this evolution is significant because Kohli has said the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his last World Cup for India.

Kohli has already experienced both ends of the World Cup spectrum. He was part of India's 2011 title-winning squad and later endured the disappointment of the 2023 final defeat to Australia.

For Kohli, maintaining his physical conditioning remains the foundation for playing with a free mind.

“It's really helped me a lot to play with a free mind, and I think that's what's working for me. But I think to follow a free mind, you need a fit body. For me, it works the other way around. I stay physically fit and then I'm able to visualise the game in the way that I want to play, which gives me the best chance to go out there and execute in the way that I did tonight,” Kohli said.

Kohli will now look to carry that momentum into the second ODI on September 30 at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, with India aiming to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.- Ends