Virat Kohli is a fantastic cricketer, according to Chris Gayle, who also expressed confidence that the Indian batter will play for his country for as long as possible. Gayle spoke to ANI on the sidelines of the World Championship of Legends, where he is representing the West Indies Champions. He used to share the dressing room with Kohli when he was a member of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League.
When assessing Virat Kohli impact on international cricket, Gayle underlined the Indian batsman’s dependability and dominance in all formats, particularly the IPL, where both players have competed. The West Indian legend’s views on Virat Kohli’s professionalism and reputation among the sport’s elite players are based on his personal experience playing alongside the Indian.
Virat Kohli’s Outstanding ODI Performance in 2026
Virat Kohli has been in excellent form throughout the 2026 ODI season. This year, the Indian batsman has scored 552 runs in nine innings at an average of 69.00 and a strike rate of 117.94. With a maximum score of 139 not out, he has two hundreds and three half-centuries.
Kohli demonstrated his capacity to amass 168 runs in three innings during the most recent One-Day International series against the West Indies in October. In the first game of the series, he played an undefeated 139 off 88 balls as India pursued a target of over 290 runs, demonstrating his ability to produce game-winning innings under pressure.
Virat Kohli’s ODI career record and upcoming matchups
Kohli is the second-highest ODI run scorer in history, with 15,109 runs at an average of 58.78, 55 hundreds, 79 fifties, and a maximum of 183. With an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup, the run-chaser will continue his career as an ODI-only player. He will play three One-Day Internationals at home against Sri Lanka beginning December 13, as well as a five-match ODI series away to New Zealand beginning November 4.
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Gayle lauded the batsmen and highlighted the lack of support for bowlers in Indian circumstances during the West Indies’ record-breaking run chase against India in the second Twenty20 International. Captain Shai Hope’s 45-ball century and Sherfane Rutherford’s stunning 84 in 37 balls helped the two-time T20 World Cup champions chase down 250.
