Has Virat Kohli returned to the scene or was he never away? After he quit Tests, he has focused on white-ball cricket, and the figures are telling. Already ensconced with his defining performances of 2025, Kohli seems to be sharper than ever. Can he keep up this shape until the year closes? So, where is he at the moment, what is going well, and what is next?
Recent Milestones in 2025 Form
The 2025 of Kohli has been clinical. He then became the fastest player to pass 14,000 ODI runs in February in the tense furnace of the Champions Trophy. He scored a century against Pakistan and followed this by another 84 in the semi-final. These performances do not happen once. These innings were played against top bowling attacks in real match conditions, not in practice matches.
The change in 2025 has come in his decision-making. Kohli has taken on fewer balls outside the off stump, letting the delivery arrive, then dishing out controlled punishment whenever the ball strays wider. Even platforms like online cricket betting apps started factoring in his improved strike rotation—most notably throughout the middle overs. He’s not after centuries—he’s after match victories. And whenever he can concentrate so intensely, India tends to deliver results.
IPL 2025 Dominance
Did Kohli need an exclamation mark? The 2025 IPL provided that. He did not just play, he led RCB to their first championship. His showings were not constructed off of a single large inning, but off of a steady, tangible presence. Some outstanding figures:
- A paltry 15 innings can give 657 runs
- An average of 54.75 in batting
- Strike rate: 146.5
- 3 fifties, 1 century
He adapted to numbers other than the numbers. A still more acute purpose in the powerplay. Perfect acceleration in the last overs. He is not trying to anchor but only wants to win.
Upcoming Targets in Odis and T20is
The calendar of Kohli now revolves around two formats after Test cricket has passed: ODIs and T20Is. His priorities are clear: the best performance, minimal schedule, and maximized returns.
Odi World Cup 2027 Buildup
Kohli is not waiting till 2027 to improve his game. He is already a proven ODI linchpin for India, one who has honed his pace against the best of the best. His performances in the Champions Trophy 2025 are an indication of a mature plan: front-foot rotation, late throttling, and wasting no balls. Kohli is shaping his game to suit the requirements of current ODIs, rather than chasing old recipes.
Look out for less low-impact innings and more game-defining innings. He knows that he does not have to bat 50 overs to earn his place at the crease; he should take and control the decisive moments. With over 14,000 ODI runs to his name and not having to worry about Tests anymore, all the matches that he plays now are a stepping stone to the 2027 World Cup. He is not fattening the figures; he is digging a blueprint.
T20i Legacy Continuation
He officially retired from T20 International cricket after India won the 2024 T20 World Cup. This does not mean that he is less there on the T20 scene. It is his escapades in the IPL, as well as his off-field profile, that make him relevant. The statistics of his T20I is settled, but his tactical participation is very much alive.
He has already been in discussions with the BCCI regarding a long-term stint in mentoring young T20 batters in India. Focus on direction rather than on choice. His strategic sense, sense of timing, and ability to perform well under pressure in run-chases are invaluable. His role in T20 cricket has shifted from bat to brain.
Brand and Off-Field Evolution
Kohli is not just keeping himself relevant; he is also widening that relevance. After finishing his Test career and having fewer years to play in the competitive game, he is looking in other directions. His clothing brand, WROGN, is still growing, and his fitness business, Chisel, is launching additional stores. He has also increased his media presence, with brand shoots and interviews, as well as preliminary talks about a documentary-style series.
On a personal note, he is busier off pitch than ever before. He and Anushka Sharma have also raised their voices on social matters and are supporting wellness and sustainable projects through their investments. Kohli is not retreating into the background, but is cultivating his second career as he continues to work in his first. Cricket remains a significant part of his agenda, but it is no longer his primary focus.
Expectations by End‑2025
By the end of the year, fans would expect hard evidence: the ODI average of more than 50, a top-quality IPL season, and leadership by example without compromise. 
With Kohli maintaining his 2025 pace, there will be no one to doubt his position. What fans do not want is the 2016 numbers; they need something tangible that they feel. He continues to deliver it.
