Virat Kohli Reveals Big Change In His ODI Approach Ahead Of West Indies Series

Indian batting star Virat Kohli has revealed that he has promised himself to play with greater freedom and take more risks as he adapts to the changing demands of modern-day cricket.

Kohli opened up about his approach ahead of India’s first ODI against the West Indies on Sunday. Speaking to JioStar, the former India captain said he no longer wants to be weighed down by expectations about his role in the team.

Kohli wants to play with greater freedom

For a long time, Kohli’s role was to steady the innings and guide the team through difficult phases. However, the 37-year-old feels he now needs to give himself more freedom to express his natural game.

ALSO READ: Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma’s Role Goes Beyond Cricket? India Coach Reveals How They Are Guiding Shubman Gill

“What’s changed is, firstly, I promised myself that I’m going to play more freely. I’m not going to worry about the expectations that people might have around me. My role had always been, for a long period of time, that I’m going to stabilise things,” Kohli said on JioStar ahead of India’s first ODI against West Indies tomorrow.

Kohli has been one of the most consistent batters in ODI cricket. He has played 314 matches, scoring 14,941 runs in 302 innings at an average of 58.59.

The right-hander has 54 ODI centuries and 79 fifties to his name, with a highest score of 183. He has also maintained a strike rate of 93.95 in the format.

‘I’ve been given a role’

Kohli admitted that he has always had the ability to play attacking cricket, but match situations have often forced him to take a more careful approach.

“I know I can play, I know I can hit shots. But the demands are such that if it’s a tricky situation and you’re playing on a tricky pitch, you eventually get into a space where you’re like, I can hit, but I’ve been given a role,” Kohli said.

The former India captain said he is now looking to find the right balance between building an innings and taking calculated risks.

“This time, I’m making a conscious effort that if I’m set to make a difference in the game, where you can get 30–40 extra runs, I want to stay in a space where, if I’m choosing not to take a risk, it’s because I’m setting up eventually to get to a point where I say, okay, now press the accelerator down,” the right-handed batter added.

Kohli eyes bigger ODI totals

Kohli also pointed towards the changing nature of ODI cricket, with teams increasingly aiming for scores in the 300-plus range.

He said he is prepared to take more risks when the conditions are favourable, particularly with teams now targeting totals of 340-350 and beyond.

“Now, the game is changing in a way that, especially if the conditions are fast-paced and good, and other teams are looking to push you towards 340–350, we should be able to get 350–360 as well. I’m very willing to take risks now because I know that if I make runs there, we’ll get 350–360 easily. And if I do that and play longer, then I can hit more at the end,” the 37-year-old said. Kohli said.

Faith in teammates has helped Kohli

Kohli also explained that greater trust in the players around him has helped him play more freely.

He said he no longer worries as much about what could happen to the team if he gets out, allowing him to focus more on expressing himself at the crease.

“So, I had to unlock a little bit of that freedom in my own mind. That’s also helped me in the IPL as well. I was able to play with that same freedom because I’m not thinking that if I get out, the situation might get difficult for us. I have faith in the fact that there are other players around me who are very good and who will be able to handle the situation. I need to express myself fully and find a way to be consistent doing that. That’s exciting as well at this stage of my career,” the Indian batting stalwart said.

India begin 2027 World Cup preparations

India’s focus now shifts to 50-over cricket, with the three-match ODI series against the West Indies part of their preparations for the 2027 World Cup.

After the West Indies series, India are scheduled to play five ODIs in New Zealand and three against Sri Lanka later this year. They will then face Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series at the start of 2027.

IND vs WI ODI Series schedule

IND vs WI ODI Squads

India’s ODI squad: Shubman Gill [C], Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul [VC], Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.

West Indies ODI squad: Shai Hope (c), Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales.