Veteran batter Virat Kohli showcased his warrior spirit on Sunday, fighting a lone battle for Team India against New Zealand in the third and final ODI at Indore. Chasing a daunting target of 338, Kohli played a memorable knock of 124 runs, standing tall as wickets fell around him.
Despite his valiant effort, India were eventually bowled out for 296, falling short of the target. While the defeat ended the series on a sour note, Indian fans found plenty to celebrate in Kohli’s extraordinary performance and his remarkable fitness levels at the age of 37.
A Lone Hand in a Losing Cause
With India under pressure early in the chase, Kohli anchored the innings with trademark composure, blending crisp strokeplay with sharp running between the wickets. His century kept India in the hunt deep into the innings, but a lack of support from the other end proved costly.
Even in defeat, Kohli’s knock was widely praised as an example of leadership, resilience, and elite professionalism.
Simon Doull Praises Kohli’s Fitness and Professionalism
Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull heaped praise on Kohli, highlighting not just his shot-making but also his unmatched athleticism and hunger to win games.
“Some of the shots were just crisp and clean. Beyond that, it is how he manoeuvres the field and how he runs between the wickets. There is still an air of youth about him,” Doull said on JioHotstar.
“Despite his age and experience, he’d probably still be the fittest guy on that side. That is professionalism,” he added.
Doull also admired Kohli’s refusal to give up, even when India were well behind in the chase.
“The willingness to keep trying to win games, to drag your team back into the contest when they are so far behind, and to run as hard as he does – for his own runs and for his teammates. There’s so much to love about how he’s playing at the moment. May he stick around in international cricket until he’s 44 or 45 years old,” Doull said.
Kohli Sets New Records Against New Zealand
Kohli’s century in Indore was his seventh ODI hundred against New Zealand, the most by any batter against the Kiwis in the format.
Before this match, he was tied with Ricky Ponting and Virender Sehwag, who had six ODI centuries each against New Zealand. Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya are jointly third on the list with five centuries apiece.
The knock also marked Kohli’s 10th international century across formats against New Zealand, making him the most prolific run-scorer in terms of centuries against the Kiwis. He surpassed South African great Jacques Kallis to achieve the milestone.
Fans Celebrate Kohli’s Longevity and Legacy
While India couldn’t cross the finish line, Kohli’s performance once again underlined his enduring greatness and unmatched work ethic. At 37, the former India captain continues to set benchmarks for fitness, consistency, and competitive spirit in international cricket.