Virat Kohli's Childhood Coach Predicts Four More Years of International Cricket
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Synopsis
Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma believes the cricketer has several years left in international cricket and could thrive in the IPL into his 40s. Sharma highlights Kohli's fitness and commitment as key factors in extending his career.
Key Takeaways
- Rajkumar Sharma forecasts Kohli's international career lasting at least four more years.
- Kohli could continue playing in the IPL well into his 40s.
- He has achieved significant milestones in ODIs and remains a crucial player for India.
- Kohli's adaptability in different formats is a testament to his skill.
- The upcoming ICC World Cup could provide him another shot at glory.
New Delhi, March 1 (NationPress) Rajkumar Sharma, the childhood coach of Virat Kohli, is confident that the Indian batting legend has numerous years of international cricket ahead of him. He believes Kohli could continue to shine in the Indian Premier League (IPL) well into his 40s if he desires. Sharma emphasized that Kohli's exceptional fitness and relentless dedication to the sport could enable him to prolong his career at the elite level.
“I see Virat playing at least four more years of international cricket, possibly even longer, and if he wishes, he could play many additional years in the IPL,” Sharma shared with Cricblogger.
The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, has successfully advanced to the semifinals of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, following consecutive victories over Bangladesh and fierce rivals Pakistan in Group A. Kohli delivered a match-winning century—his 51st in ODIs and a total of 82 overall—against Pakistan and added 22 runs in the match against Bangladesh.
Simultaneously, Kohli achieved the milestone of being the fastest player to score 14,000 ODI runs, with most of these runs coming while batting at number three. Known for his discipline and commitment, Kohli has continually adapted his gameplay to stay relevant across all formats. His versatility, particularly in pacing innings in ODIs, along with his solid technique in Tests, makes him a priceless asset for India.
With the 2027 ICC World Cup approaching in South Africa, Kohli may have another opportunity for international success. Sharma asserts that if Kohli sustains his motivation and drive, he could easily remain with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for many years, similar to M.S. Dhoni, who continues to represent Chennai Super Kings in his 40s.
“The key to Kohli’s success is consistency. There is no stopping him, and he has repeatedly demonstrated his seriousness on the field as a batsman,” Sharma remarked.
Following India's victory in their second T20 World Cup, where they edged out South Africa by seven runs at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Kohli was named Player of the Match for his impressive 76 runs off 59 balls, indicating this was his final T20I match in international cricket.
Kohli concluded his T20I career as India's second-highest run-scorer in that format, amassing 4,188 runs from 125 matches at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04.
