Virat Kohli is set to feature in the upcoming one-day international series between England and India, starting Tuesday at Edgbaston, in what is likely his last chance to bat in England. The 37-year-old Indian legend, who has retired from Test and T20 internationals, now focuses solely on ODIs and the Indian Premier League.
Kohli's Reduced Schedule and London Life
Kohli has pared back his cricket commitments considerably, retiring from T20 internationals in 2024 and Test cricket last year. He now plays only in the 50-over format for India, alongside the IPL for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Kohli and his wife, Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma, have relocated their young family to London, seeking relative sanctuary from the intense scrutiny in India.
Despite the move, Kohli remains a global superstar. According to Instagram followers, he is the third most popular athlete in the world after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Training at Lord's and Paparazzi Encounters
Kohli often trains at Lord's, with Marylebone Cricket Club facilitating his net sessions. Ryan ten Doeschate, India's assistant coach, frequently gives him throwdowns. However, even in London, privacy can be elusive. Jordan Cox, Kohli's RCB teammate, recounted a recent meeting at a London cafe where paparazzi shots circulated online within hours.
"The upsetting thing for him is that people are following him without him knowing," Cox told the Guardian. "Hundreds of people walked past us, no one stopped, no one did anything. But then about two hours later he's texting me going 'have you seen all these photos?'"
Off-Field Character and On-Field Form
Cox described Kohli as a very different character off the field compared to his fiery on-field persona. "The thing that I found the most special during the IPL is how much time he gave me as a player and, for someone that's achieved so much, how much he gives back generally," Cox said.
Kohli's form remains strong. He has three centuries in his past six ODIs and was RCB's leading scorer during their two recent IPL title wins. Mo Bobat, RCB's director of cricket, noted Kohli's drive: "When he told us he was retiring from Test cricket we talked a bit about how [the gaps between cricket] might affect him. I think he probably took that as a bit of a challenge and wanted to prove us wrong."
Hundred Participation Unlikely
Despite speculation that Kohli might play for London Spirit in the Hundred, it appears unlikely. India's men are barred from overseas franchise leagues, and Kohli has dismissed the 100-ball format as "an experiment." His reported £1.6m IPL deal further cements his focus on that tournament and ODIs.
Significance of the Series
The three-match ODI series begins at Edgbaston on Tuesday, moves to Cardiff on Thursday, and concludes at Lord's on Sunday. With the 2027 World Cup likely to be Kohli's final assignment for India, this series offers a rare opportunity for English fans to witness one of cricket's all-time greats.
