New Delhi, October 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Virat Kohli’s approach to the game has become more relaxed and instinctive in the latter phase of his career, according to former South Africa captain AB de Villiers, who believes the Indian batter is now playing with a greater sense of freedom and gratitude.
Kohli has been in outstanding form in ODIs in 2026, scoring 552 runs in eight innings at an average of 78.85 and a strike rate of 118.20. He is currently the third-highest run-scorer in the format this year, behind India captain Shubman Gill and England’s Joe Root.
Speaking to IANS in a select interaction facilitated by FanCode, the official broadcaster of the World Championship of Legends, de Villiers said Kohli’s perspective had naturally evolved as he moved towards the latter stages of his career.
“Towards the back end of a person’s career, you realise how grateful you must be and how lucky you have been to have had such a long career,” de Villiers said.
He added that Kohli had achieved almost everything possible in the game and therefore appeared less driven by milestones than earlier in his career.
“I’ve achieved everything. I don’t have to be so intense about achievements anymore,” de Villiers recalled as the mindset Kohli may now be embracing.
The former South African captain said he had spoken to Kohli between the ages of 28 and 32 about being “too overly intense” and encouraged him to focus on enjoying the game while making an impact on those around him.
According to de Villiers, that change is now increasingly visible in Kohli’s cricket.
The Indian batter recently reached 15,000 ODI runs, becoming only the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve the landmark. He reached the milestone during India’s ODI series opener against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram, where he remained unbeaten on 139 for his 55th ODI century.
De Villiers described Kohli’s current run as another peak in his career, following earlier periods of outstanding form.
“He’s completely free. He’s not so intense and not overthinking the game. He’s going a lot on gut feel,” de Villiers said, adding that Kohli’s instinctive approach could make him particularly effective.
The change has also been reflected in Kohli’s ODI batting. According to CricViz data cited in the interaction, he has struck at 119 during his first 20 deliveries in ODIs in 2026, compared with a previous best of 89 in 2016 and 2018.
His attacking intent has also been reflected in his boundary-hitting and six frequency, with Kohli hitting a six every 27.4 balls in ODIs this year, compared with 52.1 in 2025 and 52.9 in 2014.
De Villiers said he enjoyed seeing this version of Kohli and suggested the Indian veteran’s freedom could make him an important player for India at the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The former South Africa captain also backed the continued presence of Rohit Sharma alongside Kohli, saying the experience and belief the two veterans bring to the Indian dressing room remain significant.
“Just the kind of leadership qualities and the belief he instils in the rest of the team is great for the side,” de Villiers said of Rohit.
He acknowledged that the decision ultimately rests with the Indian selectors but argued that the experience of both players could be valuable as India builds towards the 2027 World Cup.
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