AB de Villiers sees a third peak in friend Virat Kohli’s career
Virat Kohli’s renewed freedom has caught AB de Villiers’ attention
Bharatmorning.com – Virat Kohli’s recent ODI form has prompted former South Africa captain AB de Villiers to identify what he calls a remarkable new phase in the India batter’s career. With the 2027 ODI World Cup still on the horizon, de Villiers believes Kohli is playing with a freedom and attacking intent that could make him a central figure in India’s plans.
De Villiers, Kohli’s longtime teammate at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, sees similarities with two earlier periods when Kohli dominated international cricket. He pointed to the years from 2012 to 2014, followed by another exceptional stretch between 2016 and 2019, as earlier high points. In his view, the current run represents a third major surge.
“It’s an incredible run of form. We’ve seen this kind of form in 2012 to 2014 and then again (from) 2016 to 2019. And now this is like a third peak for him really taking his game to the next level.”
A more aggressive Kohli at 37
The most striking feature of Kohli’s 2026 performances has been the way he has scored. His unbeaten 139 against West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday included nine sixes, an illustration of a more expansive approach from the 37-year-old. Kohli has long been admired for his consistency, chase management and ability to construct an innings, but the increased use of power-hitting has added another dimension to his batting.
For de Villiers, the runs alone do not tell the entire story. He sees a player who appears calmer at the crease, making choices naturally rather than allowing pressure or tactical calculation to dominate every moment. That mental state, he suggested, could be even more dangerous than the Kohli seen during his celebrated 2016 peak.
“Out there in the middle, you can almost see he’s completely free. Because he’s so free, he’s making sound decisions out there. He’s not so intense. He’s not overthinking the game. He’s going a lot on gut feel.”
That instinctive mode can be especially significant in one-day cricket. A batter who can judge when to build, when to rotate strike and when to target the boundary can control an innings without appearing rushed. Kohli’s nine sixes in Thiruvananthapuram offered a clear example of how his game is evolving: the familiar ability to compile a large score remains, while the capacity to accelerate has become more prominent.
“When Virat plays with his instinct, he’s pretty much unstoppable. It’s quite scary to think of where this will go and how good and how big of an impact he’s going to play for Team India in the 2027 World Cup.”
Experience remains valuable for India
De Villiers also believes Kohli’s value extends beyond his own batting. Having spent years alongside him at RCB, he has watched the former India captain grow into a senior presence capable of helping younger players. In an international dressing room, the opportunity for emerging cricketers to work closely with experienced figures can shape preparation, confidence and decision-making.
Kohli’s leadership role may therefore look different from his time as India captain, but de Villiers feels it remains important. A veteran who continues to perform at a high level can lead through standards, intensity and the example set in training and matches. His current relaxed approach, de Villiers indicated, could also make him an influential guide for the next generation.
The former South Africa captain made an equally firm case for Rohit Sharma’s inclusion in India’s World Cup thinking. Debate around senior players often focuses on current form, fitness and fielding demands, yet de Villiers argued that Rohit’s leadership qualities and the confidence he brings to teammates should not be overlooked.
“From my point of view, I wouldn’t go without him. Whether he’s in great form now or not is irrelevant. Just the kind of leadership qualities and the belief he instils in the rest of the team is great for the side.”
Planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup
The 2027 tournament will naturally raise questions about how India balance experience with fresh talent. De Villiers’ view is that Kohli and Rohit should be seen as assets rather than liabilities, particularly because of the knowledge they bring to high-pressure ODI contests. Their presence, he believes, would provide more than runs and tactical input.
He also dismissed the idea that age automatically creates an unsolvable fielding problem. Strategic field positions can be selected to make best use of experienced players, with options such as mid-off, third man and the slips available depending on the game situation. The key point, in his assessment, is to maximise the qualities that established batters offer rather than focusing solely on the physical demands associated with every fielding position.
“With the bat in hand and the kind of experience Rohit and Virat come with, it’s just huge for a team. It’s a no-brainer to me to have both of them in that side leading into 2027.”
For India, the challenge over the next year will be to shape a squad that retains that experience while continuing to develop options around it. Kohli’s form has strengthened the argument for continuity. If his current combination of clarity, aggression and composure endures, de Villiers believes India could head toward the 2027 ODI World Cup with one of the game’s most accomplished batters entering another defining chapter.
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