Within the ever-evolving panorama of Indian cricket, few issues spark as a lot debate because the profession selections of its modern-day legend, Virat Kohli. Following India’s gritty four-wicket victory over New Zealand within the first ODI at Vadodara, former India batter Mohammad Kaif launched a spirited protection of Kohli, taking a direct jibe at critics, most notably Sanjay Manjrekar who urged the star batter has opted for a neater format by persevering with in ODIs after his Check retirement.
Mohammad Kaif slams critiques over Virat Kohli’s format alternative
The strain started when Manjrekar expressed disappointment over Kohli’s resolution to proceed enjoying 50-over cricket whereas stepping away from the gruelling Check enviornment. Manjrekar hinted that at 37, Kohli is likely to be searching for the trail of least resistance. Nevertheless, talking on his YouTube channel on January 12, Kaif dismantled this narrative, labeling such arguments as “infantile and silly.”
Kaif emphasised that Kohli’s pedigree within the longest format is past reproach, citing his 9,230 Check runs and 30 centuries as proof of his mastery over troublesome situations. He argued that no format of worldwide cricket will be labeled “simple,” noting the immense psychological and bodily toll of batting the place a single supply can finish a participant’s contribution.
“He (Virat Kohli) scored round 9,000 runs in Check cricket. It’s not as if he has not confirmed himself in troublesome situations. He hit round 30 Check centuries to his identify. Not many gamers will ever get near that. So these are infantile and silly arguments saying that Virat Kohli selected a simple format. There isn’t a simple cricket in any respect. Even a membership match just isn’t simple. Batting is essentially the most demanding as a result of your total recreation will be destroyed on only one ball,” Kaif remarked.
Kaif additional challenged the comparability with different fashionable greats like Joe Root, declaring that whereas Root excels in Exams, he lacks Kohli’s staggering consistency and presence throughout white-ball codecs. For Kaif, the suggestion {that a} participant with over 28,000 worldwide runs is on the lookout for simple runs is a elementary misunderstanding of the game.
Is @imVkohli enjoying the simplest (ODI) format? @MohammadKaif has reply #viratkholi #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/5FosEjefwL
— Ravish Bisht (@ravishbofficial) January 13, 2026
Additionally READ: Fastest to 28,000: Here’s the breakdown of Virat Kohli’s international runs
Kohli’s resurgent masterclass silences the noise in ODIs
Whereas the consultants debated his future, Kohli supplied a powerful reply on the sector. Through the 1st ODI in Vadodara on January 11, Kohli anchored India’s pursuit of 301 with an impressive 93 off 91 balls. His innings was a masterclass in pacing a chase, that includes eight boundaries and a towering six, proving that his starvation for runs stays undiminished.
Throughout this knock, Kohli etched his identify deeper into the historical past books by turning into the quickest participant to achieve 28,000 worldwide runs, attaining the feat in simply 624 innings—surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar‘s mark of 644. He additionally overtook Kumar Sangakkara to turn into the second-highest run-scorer within the historical past of the sport.
With the second ODI scheduled for January 14 on the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, India lead the three-match collection 1-0. Kohli’s imperious type, as Kaif places it, has turn into the spine of the Indian lineup, significantly because the workforce navigates damage considerations just like the lack of Washington Sundar. Because the Males in Blue look to clinch the collection, the main target stays firmly on Kohli, whose simple format continues to witness record-breaking performances that almost all cricketers can solely dream of.
Additionally READ: Top 3 cricketers with most Player of the Match awards in ODIs ft. Virat Kohli
