Virat Kohli’s former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin has commented on the veteran batsman’s purple patch. Under his tremendous batting, he played an inning of 93 runs to help India win the opening match of the series.
India starts 2026 with a home series against New Zealand. The Blackcaps arrived in India to participate in three ODI matches and five T20I matches, which will mark their preparation for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
The first game between the two sides was played at the Vadodara Cricket Stadium, which had previously hosted a men’s international game. The second ODI will be played on January 14 at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
Ravichandran Ashwin reflects on Virat Kohli’s brilliant form
Virat Kohli continues his fine form in the 2026 home series after his latest antics in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin commenting on his mentality and ongoing purple patch.
Kohli returned to international cricket after a gap of six months when he scored back-to-back ducks for India before scoring a half-century at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He then scored two centuries and a half-century in the third game against South Africa.
With another century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he made his domestic return to List A cricket and then continued his fine form in the longer format of one-day cricket.
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “It seems like nothing is going on in his mind. You asked me what changes he has made. He has not changed anything; he is not thinking about anything. He has decided that he just wants to enjoy his cricket. It seems like he is playing with the attitude of batting as a child, with so many years of experience.”
Ashwin praises Shreyas Iyer as “Mr. Consistent” for India
Virat Kohli has been in tremendous form recently; The experienced campaigner was the top run-scorer for India in 2025 and has been in some form for India in the last three series. In the South Africa series, he scored 302 runs in three innings.
The opening match of the ODI series against New Zealand saw the return of veteran campaigner and Indian team vice-captain Shreyas Iyer. He could not play in the last series due to rib injury. In his comeback innings he played a brilliant inning of 49 runs.
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said, “We know Shreyas has been Mr Consistent for India in ODI cricket. His dismissal was very different from Shreyas. He never leaves the game like that; he usually finishes it off. But it is very understandable, he is coming back and that was a good ball from Jamieson.”
Virat Kohli imitated Shreyas Iyer during the first ODI
As soon as Indian vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer returned to the Indian team, batting great Virat Kohli followed him in the team line-up for the national anthem.
Shreyas Iyer walked with his shoulders squared in his usual style and then Virat Kohli gestured to Rohit Sharma and started imitating the Indian star. During the match, he also teased Iyer with a funny dance after Iyer took a high and low catch.
Overall, he appeared to be in a happy mood; Especially Virat Kohli had revealed his happy side, which proved Ravichandran Ashwin’s claim that cricket is celebrating every moment in the last moments of his international career.
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