“I don’t like it when he gets into his shell and does not talk”: Ravichandran Ashwin on Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is unstoppable in the ODIs at the moment. He has scored back-to-back hundreds in the ODI series against South Africa. India will play only a few ODIs before the start of the T20 season. Kohli’s form is a big boost for India, and his presence will help the team in the 2027 World Cup. Kohli will be almost 39 when the global tournament arrives, and there have been rumours about his future as he only plays in the fifty-over format, but going by his performance, he will remain an asset in the ODIs.

After his centuries in Ranchi and Raipur, he celebrated animatedly. The expressive nature was missing in the last few months. His former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin shared an interesting story about Kohli’s aggression.

“When he played a match-winning innings against Australia in Mohali in the T20 World Cup, I lauded him. I told him that it was a brilliant innings and he replied, ‘Kaisa Laga?’ I don’t like it when he gets into his shell and does not talk. When he stops talking or expressing himself, I don’t enjoy it,” R Ashwin said.

After two ducks in Australia on his return to Team India following the Champions Trophy, Virat is making consistent contributions with the bat, having amassed an unbeaten 74 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the third and final ODI against Australia. He then recorded two tons in two matches against the Proteas. He has looked in complete control and has dominated the bowlers from the start. Kohli has also concentrated on singles and doubles to keep the scoreboard ticking, and his animated celebrations have returned.

“Why is Kohli celebrating aggressively? What is he thinking, and what has he gone through? He left Test cricket despite loving the format. A lot was said. From his requirements to his lack of form, we heard a lot. We don’t know what he wanted to do because leaving the sport is not a small decision,” Ashwin added.

Ashwin feels that communication between Virat and the team management has been happening since he agreed to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, starting December 24. According to Ashwin, Virat has taken the challenge around his future in the fifty-over format to his heart, and he is now showing what he is capable of in this format.

“Communication is happening because he has agreed to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He must have thought about the people who are doubting him. He is a competitive person, which has helped him in his performance. He must have taken it to heart that his critics are questioning his skills and ability. He has shown them now. In an attempt to prove yourself, you can get out, and it must have happened with Virat in the past. But now, he has silenced the doubters. He is in good space,” he concluded.

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