Every stage of Virat Kohli’s career has come with opinions flying in from all sides, judgments, and endless debates. Even now, after stepping away from Test cricket and T20 Internationals, the chatter around him just doesn’t die down. Some critics believe his best days are behind him.
Others feel he has chosen the “comfortable route” by focusing only on ODIs. But once again, Kohli has shown that criticism does not stop runs. Only form does. And right now, his ODI form speaks louder than any commentary box opinion.
The latest debate erupted after the first ODI against New Zealand. Kohli played a commanding innings and looked completely in control during the chase. Instead of celebrating the performance, some voices chose to question his format preference. To which, Kohli’s brother Vikas Kohli silenced the critics by expressing his views on social media.
Vikas Kohli fires back at Sanjay Manjrekar over easier format comment after 1st ODI
“A lot of people have asked me why I keep saying ODI cricket is easy for top-order batters. Go back a few years in Indian cricket and look at the guys who were opening for India for a long time in 50-over cricket. Those batters were middle-order batters in Test cricket. They were not very keen to open in Test cricket or bat in the top three. They were very happy to play at No. 4, 5, 6,” Sanjay Manjrekar said.
“But come one day, Cricket, they were almost desperate to bat in the top three and open. Therein lies the answer as to why I believe it’s easy for top-order batters, because everybody is queuing up to bat in the top three. The first advantage you get when you are opening in 50-over cricket or batting at No. 3 is that there are no four slips and a gully. And you know when a bowler is running in, he’s not really coming in to get you out. He’s just trying to make sure you don’t get 10-15 runs an over,” he added.
“Such an easy format, isn’t it… someone gave his gyaan few days back… easier said than done,” Vikas wrote on social media. In a separate post that went viral a few days earlier, he added, “Seems like logon ki daal roti nahi chalti bina Virat Kohli ka naam liye hue” (Translation: It seems like people can’t earn their bread and butter without mentioning Virat Kohli).
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This pattern is not new. Kohli has faced similar treatment throughout his career. When he scored centuries, critics called it flat pitches. When he struggled briefly, they called him finished. When he adapted his game, they called it survival mode. Yet, he continues to outlast opinions.
Calling ODIs “easy” completely ignores the reality of modern 50-over cricket. Bowlers have variations. Fields change constantly. Chases demand patience and precision. One mistake can derail an entire inning.
What makes Kohli special even now is his discipline. He does not chase milestones blindly. He builds innings brick by brick. In the recent match against New Zealand, he did not rush. He trusted his timing and fitness. He rotated strike early and attacked when bowlers erred. That approach comes from experience, not privilege.
His ODI numbers after stepping away from other formats tell their own story. He still averages elite figures. He still anchors chases and still performs against quality attacks. Teams still plan entire strategies around him. If ODIs were truly easy, more players would show this level of consistency. They don’t.
Kohli was adjudged the Man of the Match for his impeccable 93 in the run-chase against the Kiwis. He will be back in action for the second ODI, which is slated to be played on January 14, Wednesday, at BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara.
