‘Unlock a new version’: Kohli on raising his game at 36
At 36, with a career spanning nearly two decades and already filled with remarkable achievements, Virat Kohli is embracing a new challenge: finding another level to his game.
The India batter produced a spectacular display in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, becoming only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach 15,000 ODI runs. Kohli marked the milestone in style, smashing an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls as India defeated West Indies by eight wickets in the opening ODI.
India chased down West Indies' 296 with 50 balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Kohli's 55th ODI century was also his third-fastest in the format, while his innings included 10 fours and a personal-best nine sixes.
Kohli said the change in his approach has come from a desire to challenge himself at this stage of his career.
“I got a challenge at this stage of my career to kind of up the ante and, you know, play a gear to higher end. Yeah, that was exciting for me to work on,” Kohli said.
“It excites you when you have to unlock a new version at this stage of your career.”
The veteran batter said the approach was helping him play with greater freedom, whether representing India or in the Indian Premier League.
Kohli reached 15,000 ODI runs with three consecutive boundaries in the 29th over of India's chase. Yet, despite another major milestone, he insisted that such numbers have never been his primary motivation.
“My focus has never really been on these milestones. It's just understanding the situation along the course of just doing the job for the team,” he said.
“Achievements come along, obviously I feel very grateful and very blessed to be in this position for having played for so long.”
The innings also underlined how Kohli's approach to ODI batting has evolved. Traditionally known for managing risk, building an innings and then accelerating, he is now looking to maximise his scoring once he feels settled at the crease.
He has scored 523 ODI runs in 2026, making him the third-highest scorer in the format this year. His strike rate of 116.74 also stands out, with only three players among the top 50 run-scorers matching or surpassing that figure.
Kohli said the key is to remain positive without crossing the line into recklessness.
“I promised myself I'm going to play positively because I can. So I'm going to continue to play like that, but, you know, not be reckless,” he said.
“There is a fine line which, as a professional, as an experienced player, I should have the ability to execute in this way without playing reckless shots and get the team through.”
His approach is closely linked to his physical and mental preparation. Kohli believes maintaining his fitness allows him to play with the freedom he now seeks.
“I think to follow a free mind, you need a fit body,” he said. “I stay physically fit and then I'm able to visualise the game in the way that I want to play.”
The India star added that staying mentally fresh and remaining in the present are more important to him than excessive practice.
“The game's more or less in the mind. I've never been one to practice a lot,” he said. “So it's just for me about staying mentally fresh, staying in the present moment and just expressing myself.”
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Against West Indies, Kohli benefited from an excellent platform provided by Shubman Gill. Rohit Sharma and Gill added 74 for the opening wicket before Sharma was dismissed in the 12th over. Gill then continued the assault, scoring 110 off 108 balls for his 10th ODI century.
Gill and Kohli shared a dominant 151-run partnership from 132 balls before Roston Chase dismissed Gill. Kohli remained unbeaten and finished the chase with successive boundaries.
Earlier, West Indies made a strong start after being asked to bat. Justin Greaves and John Campbell added 135 for the opening wicket, with Greaves going on to score his maiden ODI century.
India eventually regained control through Kuldeep Yadav, who took 4-40 on his ODI return. West Indies slipped from 176-1 to 198-5 as Yadav and Prasidh Krishna applied pressure, but Amir Jangoo's 58 off 43 balls helped the visitors recover and reach 295.
For Kohli, however, the focus remained less on the numbers and more on the journey that brought him to this stage.
“Just looking back at the journey from when you started as a child just makes you feel grateful,” he said.
“I enjoy each and every minute that I'm out there playing for India because I understand that ... it could have been a possibility that I wouldn't be standing here.”
After another milestone and another match-defining innings, Kohli's message was simple: keep working, stay fit, remain mentally fresh and continue searching for that next version of himself.
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