AB de Villiers sees a third peak in friend Virat Kohli’s career
AB de Villiers believes Virat Kohli has entered a new phase of dominance
Bharatmorningnews.com – Virat Kohli’s recent batting surge has prompted former South Africa captain AB de Villiers to describe the Indian star’s current form as a “third peak” in an already remarkable international career. With the 2027 ODI World Cup still on the horizon, de Villiers believes Kohli is playing with a freedom and clarity that could make him a decisive figure for India in the tournament.
Kohli has previously enjoyed sustained periods of extraordinary success, most notably from 2012 to 2014 and again between 2016 and 2019. De Villiers feels the 37-year-old has now found another level, combining his established consistency with a more aggressive approach and a visibly relaxed temperament.
“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.”
The latest chapter of that form was evident in Thiruvananthapuram, where Kohli made an unbeaten 139 against West Indies on Tuesday. His innings included nine sixes, underlining the greater attacking intent that has become a striking feature of his batting in 2026.
A freer Kohli at the crease
For de Villiers, the key difference is not merely the number of runs Kohli is accumulating. It is the manner in which he is making them. The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate sees a player who is no longer burdened by excessive intensity, instead trusting his reading of the match and reacting naturally to situations.
That instinctive approach can be especially dangerous in one-day cricket. A batter who can move between controlled accumulation and power hitting places pressure on bowlers through every stage of an innings. Kohli’s ability to convert strong starts into match-shaping scores has long been central to his reputation, but the increased willingness to clear the boundary adds another dimension to his game.
“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. 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.”
India’s preparations for 2027 will inevitably involve discussions about experience, succession and the balance between established champions and younger players. In that context, Kohli’s form offers more than immediate runs. It provides a reference point for the batting group and gives emerging cricketers the opportunity to observe how an elite player prepares, competes and adapts late in his career.
De Villiers also highlighted Kohli’s growing value away from the scorecard. Having spent several seasons alongside him at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he believes the former India captain is increasingly focused on helping the people around him. That influence can matter greatly in a dressing room containing players still learning the demands of international cricket.
Rohit Sharma remains vital, says de Villiers
De Villiers’ assessment of India’s 2027 prospects was not limited to Kohli. He made a strong case for Rohit Sharma’s inclusion as well, arguing that leadership and experience should carry substantial weight when India chooses its World Cup squad.
Questions surrounding senior players often centre on age, current output and fielding mobility. De Villiers, however, feels Rohit’s wider contribution cannot be measured only through a short-term run of form. His tactical understanding and ability to inspire confidence within the side make him an important option for a major tournament.
“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.”
The former South Africa captain also dismissed the idea that fielding considerations should automatically rule out experienced players. He suggested that teams can use suitable positions, including mid-off, thirdman and the slips, to ensure senior cricketers remain involved while protecting their physical workload.
Such placements are often part of the wider tactical planning in ODI cricket, where captains must weigh athletic range against anticipation, catching ability and game awareness. For players with the experience of Rohit and Kohli, de Villiers believes the value they bring with bat in hand and in high-pressure moments outweighs those concerns.
“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.”
The debate over India’s eventual World Cup combination will continue as the tournament approaches, but de Villiers’ view is clear: Kohli’s current revival has the potential to become a major force in the campaign, while Rohit’s presence could provide leadership and composure when the stakes are highest. For now, Kohli’s unbeaten 139 and nine sixes against West Indies have offered a vivid reminder that one of modern cricket’s most accomplished batters is still finding fresh ways to raise his game.
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