Virat Kohli, a name synonymous with greatness, has long been regarded as one of the finest ODI players of this generation. His dominance in the format has solidified his legacy.
Despite India’s heartbreak in the 2023 World Cup final, where they fell short of winning the coveted trophy, Kohli’s consistency through the tournament was one of the few bright spots. Yet, 2025 has presented a different challenge for the 36-year-old. After a promising World Cup performance, Kohli’s form in 2024 was underwhelming. With just three ODIs played last year, he was lacklustre, and his struggles in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have raised questions about his ability to rediscover his best.
The past few months have seen Kohli in a battle not just with the opposition, but with his own game. Since the ton in the first Test of the BGT at Perth, Kohli has struggled to adjust, consistently falling to deliveries which he usually dispatches with ease in white-ball cricket.
The recurring issue of getting out to deliveries outside the off-stump — something that doesn’t faze him in the shorter formats — has stifled his progress in Test matches. The mental fatigue and pressure of finding a rhythm have clearly affected his game, particularly in a format as demanding as Test cricket.
Now, as the countdown to the Champions Trophy begins in less than two weeks, all eyes are on Kohli. This series against England isn’t just about finding his form — it’s about making a statement. He has been one of India’s most reliable run-scorers in ODIs, but the 2024 season was a tough one for him, with scores of 24, 14, and 20 in the three matches played.
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His struggles were even more pronounced in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he amassed just 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75.
The shift from long-format cricket to the fast-paced, high-pressure nature of ODIs is never easy. Kohli’s ability to adjust to the dynamics of white-ball cricket will be tested in these three matches against England. As the ODI format places a premium on tempo and timing, Kohli must reconnect with the fluidity that once defined his batting in ODIs. His mind and body need to reset, and the coming days will determine if the “King Kohli” can resurrect his old self.
This series is more than just numbers. It’s about mental strength, resilience, and the will to overcome adversity. For a player of Kohli’s stature, the stakes are high. India will need Kohli in form to win the Champions Trophy.
Now, what does Kohli do when bowlers bowl the fifth-sixth stump line to him in the white-ball format? Will he go for it or leave it? He leaves it, dot ball pressure builds. He goes for it, edges, and self-doubt builds. The world watches, and his fans — billions strong — wait with bated breath. Is this the beginning of one of the greatest comebacks in cricket history, or will it mark the fading of a legend?
As the first ball of this ODI series is bowled today at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, the quest for redemption begins.
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