Written off after a modest return on the Test tour of Australia, questioned on his international future following his sudden Test retirement, Virat Kohli
found himself in uncharted territory in 2025. His off-field battle with perception and opinions dwarfed his on-field match-ups. Surrounded by uncertainty over his future, Kohli walked into every match with his back against the wall. But like every great player, he found a way not just to survive but to dominate
Despite everything he has achieved, Kohli was deemed an expendable player who was nearing the end of relevance in Indian cricket. However, the relentless scrutiny and questions only awakened a cricketing beast, one who dominated world and domestic cricket, silencing every critic and reinforcing the already incredible legacy.
Kohlishattered multiple records, achieved several milestones and conquered numerous battles. From ruling ODI cricket to finally fulfilling his IPL dream to making a comeback of the ages in domestic cricket, Kohli achieved nearly everything a cricketer possibly could in 2025.
Virat Kohli’s 2025 resurgence: Champions Trophy glory
Despite a lean Test tour Down Under, Kohli was at his best in his most favourite format in February. The Delhi dasher enjoyed a prolific Champions Trophy campaign, finishing as India’s second-highest run-scorer in the tournament as the Men In Blue claimed the title after an unbeaten campaign.
Virat Kohli celebrating his century. (Image: PTI)
During the tournament, Kohli scaled Mount 14k in ODI cricket and became the fastest to achieve the feat in history, completing the milestone in just 287 innings. What made the accomplishment all the more special was the fact that it was achieved against Pakistan.
In the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, Kohli achieved another huge milestone after he became the first-ever player to complete 1000 runs in ICC knockout matches.
IPL dream realised
A couple of months later, Kohli realised his Indian Premier League (IPL) dream with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally ending the title drought by winning the coveted trophy on its 19th attempt. Kohli, unsurprisingly, was instrumental in RCB’s historic campaign, scoring 657 runs and becoming only the first player to score 500+ runs in eight IPL seasons. During the landmark campaign, Kohli also became the first player in IPL history to hit 300 sixes for the same franchise.
Kohli won his maiden IPL title in 2025. (Image: PTI)
Making his international comeback for the first time since his Champions Trophy heroics in a three-ODI series against Australia in October, Kohli got off the worst possible start, getting dismissed for back-to-back ducks in the first two ODIs.
Record-breaking year
With the twin failures, the relentless pressure and speculations surrounding his future in international cricket returned. But like he always does, Kohli bounced back in style by scoring a match-winning half-century to help India avoid a series whitewash. In the process, Kohli also broke the all-time record for most 50+ scores in the second innings in ODIs, previously held by his compatriot Sachin Tendulkar (69).
From thereon, there was no stopping Kohli. The Master batter continued his rich vein of form in the home ODI series against South Africa, slamming successive centuries, filled with typical swagger and class.
With his 52nd ODI ton during the first ODI in Ranchi, he surpassed Tendulkar’s record (51) for the most centuries in a single format. He added one more century to his tally in the second match at Raipur, steering two centuries clear of Tendulkar, who held the record for more than a decade.
Kohli scored two centuries in South Africa ODI series. (Image: PTI)
Kohli’s remarkable run continued on the domestic circuit in his comeback to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after 15 years. Playing for Delhi, he played a sublime knock of 131 runs against Andhra Pradesh and followed his sensational knock with a half-century against Gujarat in the second round fixture.
Kohli broke yet another record of Tendulkar in 2025 by becoming the fastest to score 16000 List A runs, completing the milestone in 342 matches.
Kohli scored a century on his VHT comeback. (Image: PTI)
Judging by his form, fitness and hunger, 2026 promises to be another prolific year for Kohli, who is just three centuries away from breaking Tendulkar’s record of 60 centuries in List A cricket.
Kohli’s prolific year ended with 651 runs in 13 ODIs, including three centuries, four fifties and No.2 spot in the batting charts.
