“Virat Kohli must have thought, are these people doubting me?” - Ravi Ashwin reveals Kohli’s state of mind after two consecutive ODI tons

Former Indian spinner and analyst Ravi Ashwin has opened up on the Indian talismanic batter Virat Kohli’s state of mind after he smacked two consecutive ODI centuries in the ongoing three-match series against South Africa.

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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said that there seems to be proper communication between the selection committee and the players, which is why Kohli has decided to step into domestic cricket. For the unversed, Kohli is expected to play the forthcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 campaign for Delhi.

"Why is Virat celebrating like that? What is he thinking, what has he gone through? Let's not forget that Virat left Test cricket. Both were very synchronous. He loved Test cricket and wanted to play always, but he left because it was not only about his requirements. Whatever chatter was going on, and his lack of runs in Tests, we do not know what he wanted to do. To leave the sport is a big decision,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. 

"Now he has agreed to play Vijay Hazare, so communication is happening. In many ways, Virat must have thought, are these people doubting me? Are they doubting my ability? He is a very competitive person, which has helped him perform so much over the years. He must have taken it to heart that there are doubts regarding my skill and ability, and that I will show them now. Sometimes, in an attempt to desperately prove yourself, you can be out, and there is a chance that it happened with Virat as well in the past. But now, he must be telling you that 'you doubted me? Now I have shown what I can do.' I have got it in me. He looks in good space. His centre of gravity is much lower than what it was over the last couple of years, which is a crucial facet in timing the ball and picking the length right," he concluded. 

Speaking about Virat Kohli's stats in the ongoing calendar year, he has amassed 586 runs in 12 ODIs at an average of 58.6 with a strike rate of 92.72, including three centuries and as many half-centuries with the highest score of 135.

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