Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Virat Kohli is playing with a point to prove after taking whispers
about his future to heart. Kohli's animated celebrations and agreement to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy suggest a fierce
self-assertion, as he demonstrates renewed technique and ruthless intent, silencing doubts with back-to-back centuries.
NEW DELHI: A charged-up Virat Kohli is back, and Ravichandran Ashwin believes the batting icon has taken every whisper
about his future “straight to the heart” — and is now batting with a point to prove. Kohli's animated celebrations after
back-to-back hundreds against South Africa have gone viral, and Ashwin says they are no coincidence, but the
manifestation of a mindset determined to silence doubt.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Speaking on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, the former India off-spinner said Kohli's recent agreement to play the Vijay
Hazare Trophy — a rare move for a player of his stature — shows just how deeply the chatter about becoming a one-format
player might have affected him.
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“Why is Virat celebrating like that? What is he thinking, what has he gone through?” Ashwin asked. “He loved Test
cricket and wanted to play always, but he left… it was not only about his requirements. To leave the sport is a big
decision.” Ashwin hinted that Kohli's retirement from Test cricket and the intense scrutiny over his dip in form may
have pushed the 37-year-old into a phase of fierce self-assertion. The turning point, he believes, may have been the
communication around Kohli's willingness to play domestic 50-over cricket.
Should players of Kohli's stature focus on domestic tournaments?
Absolutely, it's good for the game Only if they choose to No, they should focus on international games Not relevant to
“Now he has agreed to play Vijay Hazare, so communication is happening. In many ways, he must have thought — are they
doubting me?” Ashwin said. “He is a very competitive person… he must have taken it to heart. Maybe he is telling you
now: ‘You doubted me? Now I've shown what I can do.'” Calling Kohli's current technique “much lower in centre of
gravity” and sharper than the last two years, Ashwin praised the renewed calm in his batting, mixed with ruthless
intent. “He looks in good space,” Ashwin added. “That centre of gravity is crucial in timing the ball and picking length
right.” Kohli has blasted 237 runs at 118.50 in this series alone and is a frontrunner for Player of the Series ahead of
the Visakhapatnam decider on Saturday. His record there? A staggering 97.83 average with three centuries, making the
city a fortress he could once again ignite.