Karthik highlighted how Kohli returned from a two-month break without losing any of his rhythm.
Karthik highlighted how Kohli returned from a two-month break without losing any of his rhythm or authority at the crease.
The ace batter produced an absolute masterclass, smashing an unbeaten 139 off just 88 balls* to guide India to a commanding eight-wicket victory in Thiruvananthapuram.
Since Kohli has indicated the 2027 World Cup will be his last, Karthik emphasized that fans should appreciate and enjoy watching him play while he is still around.
“I think we should really enjoy it till he is around. He told us that he is going to be there until the end of the World Cup. His last batting, so to speak, in international cricket was on July 19th and now it’s September 27," Karthik said while speaking on Cricbuzz.
“Does it feel like a man who has not touched a bat in two months? He just came out there so confident, comfortable, authoritative and dominating right from the get-go," Karthik added.
Chasing a target of 296, Virat Kohli demolished the Caribbean bowling attack with 10 fours and a career-best 9 sixes. His record-extending 55th ODI ton came at an incredible strike rate of 157.95.
During his blistering knock, Kohli became only the second batter in cricket history to cross 15,000 ODI runs, joining the fellow legendary compatriot Sachin Tendulkar. He reached the milestone in his 303rd ODI innings, achieving it 74 innings faster than Tendulkar.
“To get a hundred at a strike rate of 157 is quite astounding in ODIs. I know it was a flat pitch. We were talking about how it could be chased down in 40-42 overs, which is exactly what India did," Karthik stated.
“Most importantly, Virat Kohli is feeling the rhythm. That’s the most important word for somebody like Virat Kohli because of how sporadically he is playing and if he is finding that rhythm, then there is no better player in this world," he further remarked.
Ahead of the West Indies series, Virat Kohli officially confirmed that the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in Africa will be his final global ODI tournament representing India.
"For me, it's the last World Cup I'm going to play for India. And that is my motivation. Like, you know, to leave everything out there," Kohli said while speaking on JioStar.
Having experienced the highs of winning the trophy in 2011 and the heartbreak of losing the final in 2023, Kohli stated he is ready to do "whatever it takes" and leave everything out on the field.
"Of course, the goal is absolutely to win the World Cup. And whatever it takes, I'm absolutely ready," he added.