We believe in Virat Kohli: Shubman Gill leaves the batter alone as India begin World Cup preparations

India captain Shubman Gill is more than happy to leave Virat Kohli alone as India begin preparations for the ODI World Cup 2027. Kohli produced another stunning performance to hit another ODI century against the West Indies on Sunday, September 27. Kohli smashed an unbeaten 139 off just 88 balls to help India chase down 296 runs in just 41.4 overs.

The hundred, Kohli’s fourth in the last 11 innings, was further evidence of the legend enjoying perhaps his best batting form of his ODI career. The batsman has recently unlocked his ODI bat where he shows aggression from the very beginning of his innings instead of playing long game.

Kohli’s sensational form more or less confirms him for a spot in the ODI World Cup. Responding to Kohli’s knock after the match, Shubman said Kohli had won enough matches for India to let him do his thing and the team trusted him to do just that.

“Someone like him who has won so many matches for the country. Who has done it time and time again, you just let him play how he wants to play on the day because when he plays well, he can win matches for you,” Shubman said after India’s 1st ODI win against West Indies. Virat Kohli smashes 9 sixes in 1st ODI vs WI. (PTI Photo)

WE TRUST IN VIRAT KOHLI

Gill’s comments underscore the kind of freedom India can afford to give Kohli when he is in this form. With the veteran batsman continuing to win matches, the Indian skipper is happy to let him decide how he wants to approach his innings.

And Kohli knows his batting has changed.

“At this stage of my career, I’m challenged to up the ante a bit and play a notch or two higher, and yes, it’s been exciting for me to work on,” Kohli said after his century.

IND vs WI, 1st ODI: MAIN

The 37-year-old said the challenge of finding a different version of himself at this stage in his career was a motivating factor.

“Again, it excites you when you have to unlock a new version at this stage of your career that will ultimately help whichever team you play for, whether you’re playing for India or in the IPL.”

This new version was fully shown in Thiruvananthapuram.

Kohli took 40 balls to reach his fifty before accelerating dramatically. He finished unbeaten on 139 off 88 balls, hitting 10 fours and nine sixes as India completed a comfortable chase of 296.

His 151-run partnership with Gill was the bedrock of the chase. Gill made 110 off 108 balls but it was Kohli who provided the explosive finish and took the game away from the West Indies in the latter stages. Kohli and Gill starred in India vs WI win. (AP photo)

KOHLI’S LANDMARK SHIFT

The century was Kohli’s fourth in his last 11 ODI innings and his 25th century in a successful run chase in ODIs. This moved him further than Sachin Tendulkar who has 14 centuries of successful runs in ODIs.

It was also a landmark innings in several other ways.

Kohli became only the second batsman after Tendulkar to reach 15,000 ODI runs and did it in 303 innings, making him the fastest batsman to reach the milestone.

His century also moved him level with Sunil Gavaskar for the most international centuries against the West Indies, with both batsmen having 13. Kohli also equaled his own record for the most ODI centuries against a single opponent, having now scored 10 against the West Indies and Sri Lanka.

Another record awaited him in the pursuit. Kohli went past Tendulkar to become the batsman with the most ODI runs in his home country. He now has 7,006 runs in 131 ODIs for India at an average of 63.69.

He also hit 200 sixes in ODI cricket and equaled Tendulkar’s record of 60 List A centuries.

But outside of the landmarks, what stood out was the manner of the shift.

Kohli’s strike rate was over 157, a significant departure from the version of him that was often associated with building an innings before accelerating later. On Sunday, he gradually increased the pace before launching an attack that West Indies could not contain.

Kohli believes the freedom in his batting comes from a combination of his mindset and physical preparation.

“It’s really helped me a lot to play with a free mind and I think that’s what works for me,” he said.

But for Kohli, that freedom starts with staying physically fit.

“But I think you need a fit body to follow a free mind. So it works the other way around for me. I stay physically fit and then I’m able to envision the game the way I want to play, which gives me the best chance to go out and execute it the way I did tonight.”

GILL LOOKS BETTER

For India, the bigger picture now is building a side that will eventually head to the 2027 World Cup.

The top order has plenty of experience and firepower, with Kohli and Gill putting together a 151-run stand after Rohit Sharma gave India a flying start. But Gill knows the team can’t just rely on its best batsmen.

The India captain wants to have eight genuine batting options in the playing XI, especially as the matches can change quickly even when the team seems to be in control.

“Yes, ideally yes. We would like a No. 8 batting option. Someone who can contribute 25-30 runs. We’ve seen it many times, we’ve been in situations where we’ve been in good positions where we haven’t been able to get the scores we wanted. So No. 8 becomes a key position for us. But we’re open to trying different combinations and see what works for us,” Gill said.

For now, however, the Indian captain has little reason to interfere with what Kohli is doing.

The FIFA World Cup is still more than a year away and India have a lot of questions to answer before deciding on their final combination. But with Kohli finding a way to score quickly, dominate attacks and still produce the big innings that has defined his career, Gill is happy to give him the freedom to continue doing exactly that.

India seems to have faith in Virat Kohli.

– The end