Kohli savours challenge of playing with a free mind

Virat Kohli suggested that he has taken on a new challenge at this stage of his career, aiming to raise his game to a higher level, after an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls set up India's eight-wicket win over West Indies in the series-opening ODI at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

Shubman Gill's century alongside him, and a four-wicket haul from Kuldeep Yadav, gave India a dominant victory to start the three-match ODI series on a high.

Kohli who became just the second batter in ODI history to reach 15,000 runs after Sachin Tendulkar, spoke about unleashing a new version.

"I got a challenge at this stage of my career to kind of up the ante and, you know, play a gear to higher end," Kohli told the host broadcaster after the innings.

Kohli said unlocking that new gear has excited him, and he believes it will help him regardless of the format he plays.

"It excites you when you have to unlock a new version at this stage of your career, which will eventually help anything that you play for, be it playing for India or in the IPL," he said.

"It's really helped me a lot to play with a free mind and I think that's what's working for me."

The batter once again rewrote the history books but downplayed the significance of personal milestones, insisting his focus remained on the team.

"My focus has never really been on these milestones, so to say," he said.

"It's just understanding the situation along the course of just doing the job for the team. Achievements come along, obviously I feel very grateful and very blessed to be in this position for having played for so long. And, just keeping my head down, working hard and thanking God for everything that I've been blessed with."

Kohli who smashed nine sixes in the innings added that he had set out to bat positively without compromising on responsibility.

"I promised myself I'm going to play positively because I can," he said.

"So I'm going to continue to play like that, but not be reckless. There is a fine line, which as a professional, as an experienced player, I should have the ability to execute in this way without playing reckless shots and get the team through."

On the method behind his approach, Kohli pointed to fitness as the foundation for a clear mind.

"I think to follow a free mind, you need a fit body," he said.

"So for me, it works the other way around. I stay physically fit and then I'm able to visualise the game in the way that I want to play, which allows me the best chance to go out there and execute in the way that I did tonight."

Reflecting on his journey, Kohli said staying grounded comes from remembering where he started. 

"I enjoy each and every minute that I'm out there playing for India because I understand that it could have been a possibility that I wouldn't be standing here," Kohli said.

"But I'm getting to live all these amazing moments, representing my country, playing in front of such big crowds and doing the job for the team. As a cricket player, this is all that I dreamt of and I'm getting it."

"So, I have nothing but gratitude in my heart. I just want to put my head down, keep working hard, put a smile on my face and hopefully make other people smile too."

Kohli confirmed that the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2027 will be his last for India and the veteran appears to be in dream touch as India begin preparation for the World Cup.

Having lost in the final in 2023, India and Kohli will be keen to go one step better in 2027.