Rajkumar Sharma, Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, says the Indian batting great has nothing left to prove, despite returning to the national team for the three-match ODI series in Australia starting October 19. Kohli will don the Indian jersey for the first time since winning the Champions Trophy on March 9. “Virat doesn’t have to prove anything, he has achieved everything, the way he has played, the way he has won the matches for the country, everyone knows his contribution. He is well prepared, and whenever he is well prepared, the results are always good, and I have full faith that he will do well as usual,” Sharma told ANI. The series comes after Kohli opted out of the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England, marking the end of his 14-year Test career with a heartfelt note. Questions have arisen about how he will adapt to Australia’s fast and bouncy tracks, and whether this tour could be his last, though there is still a lot of chatter surrounding Kohli’s intention to feature in the 2027 World Cup. Sharma praised both Kohli and Rohit Sharma, saying their contributions to Indian cricket are already well-recognised. “I would like to say that both of them are great players, and they have nothing left to prove, because the whole of India knows their contribution to Indian cricket, so if they have to prove themselves at this stage, then it will be a very funny thing,” he added. With years of experience and a proven record, Sharma believes Kohli’s preparation and mindset will ensure a strong performance in Australia. His guidance and perspective offer reassurance to fans ahead of a high-profile series against one of India’s toughest opponents.
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Should Virat Kohli continue playing for the national team until the 2027 World Cup?
The three-match ODI series will be played across Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney, beginning with the first match at Optus Stadium on October 19. Kohli’s form and approach will be closely watched, both as a key run-scorer and as a senior leader in the Indian squad.
