Virat Kohli grabbed the headlines just hours after he landed in Australia for his much-awaited return to international cricket. The batting superstar took to social media on Thursday morning to share a cryptic post with a motivational message. Although Kohli’s words lacked context, many fans were quick to associate the post with his comeback growing speculation about his future in international cricket.
However, it was soon revealed that the message was actually a teaser for a promotional video for his clothing brand Wrogn.
“The only time you really fail is when you choose to give up,” Kohli wrote on X, just hours after arriving in Perth – the venue for the first of a three-match ODI series that will see both Rohit Sharma and Kohli return to international cricket for the first time since Champions Trophy 2025.
Later, Kohli shared a video featuring himself in an ad campaign for his casual wear brand with the caption, “Failure teaches you what victory never will.”
A section of fans expressed disappointment and said that they originally thought so the previous post was a rare moment of personal reflection from a cricketer. Kohli largely avoids sharing personal thoughts on social media and limits his posts to brand promotions and greetings for fellow cricketers and sportspersons.
Meanwhile, meme makers had a field day poking fun at how Kohli cleverly used the intrigue to create buzz and ensure maximum attention for his brand promotion. However, some fans noted that it has been a while since the former captain shared a truly organic post.
The disappointment also stemmed from the timing of the tweet, given the ongoing speculation about Kohli’s future. With Shubman Gill taking over as India’s ODI captain, the selectors have made it clear that they are looking forward to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Both chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir hinted that Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be considered for selection based on their form in the build-up to the tournament.
Several former cricketers have expressed concern over the limited number of one-day matches scheduled ahead of the next World Cup, warning that the lack of game time could affect the fitness of Kohli and Rohit. India are not expected to play more than 20 ODIs in the next two years, prompting suggestions that the senior batsmen may need to feature in domestic cricket to stay sharp, especially as they retire from Tests and T20Is.
Former head coach Ravi Shastri offered a pragmatic view of the debate, suggesting that both players should approach their international futures one series at a time.
However, current captain Shubman Gill was quick to reaffirm that both Kohli and Rohit remain integral to India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India’s three-match ODI series in Australia begins in Perth on October 19, followed by the second ODI in Adelaide on October 23 and the series finale is scheduled for Sydney on October 25.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
October 16, 2025
