Rest, reset, recalibrate: How Kohli is staying in the zone

For the 37-year-old former India skipper, the break from regular cricket isn’t a gap to be filled, but a space to be used

New Delhi: Once upon a time, the lore around Virat Kohli was built on sheer volume – of runs, matches and greatness. But as Kohli moves towards the twilight of his career, where he plays only one international format, his version of Kohli is still not diminished or restrained. Instead, it is a recalibration.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli celebrates after reaching his 50 against SRH on Saturday. (AFP)

Across sports, from tennis to football, elite athletes are extending peaks not by pushing harder, but by choosing their moments better. Kohli’s version of that is anchored in his personal understanding of burnout, mental fatigue and what it takes for him to show up fully.

Having retired from T20 Internationals in 2024, Kohli now only plays this format during the Indian Premier League. As Royal Challengers began their defence this year