Former West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite recently offered a glimpse into the intense competitive nature of Virat Kohli, recounting a past experience where the two played video games together during an Indian Premier League season. Speaking on the YouTube channel The Super Over, Brathwaite described a session involving FIFA in a room shared with Tabraiz Shamsi. According to the former cricketer, Kohli’s demeanor shifted as the game progressed, particularly when he faced the prospect of a loss.
Brathwaite noted that when Kohli began to lose, he would lean forward and become deeply focused, a physical reaction that mirrored the famous meme regarding intense concentration. He remarked that while it was merely a game of FIFA, Kohli’s inability to tune out his competitive instincts was evident, as he maintains a desire to win regardless of the activity.
On the professional front, Kohli recently participated in a three-match ODI series against England, having previously missed the home series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury. After a slow start in the opening match where he scored five runs, the ace batter recovered to register back-to-back half-centuries of 65 and 74. Despite his efforts, the Indian side, led by Shubman Gill, lost the series 2-1.
Looking ahead toward the 2027 ODI World Cup, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has advocated for the inclusion of senior players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Speaking to Star Sports during the recent series decider, Yuvraj emphasized the necessity of balancing the team with experience rather than relying solely on youth. He urged the team management to provide security to these veteran players, suggesting that they should ignore external criticism regarding age and form to focus on the long-term goal. Kohli and Rohit Sharma are next scheduled to compete in a three-match home ODI series against the West Indies, beginning September 27 at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
