Ashwin Stunned by Kohli’s Explosive Century, Questions England Selection

Virat Kohli smashed an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls against the West Indies at Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, 2026. His knock included ten fours and nine sixes, enabling India to chase down 296 in just 41.4 overs. This 55th ODI century came off only 74 balls, ranking as the third‑fastest hundred of his ODI career.

Former India off‑spinner R Ashwin expressed admiration for Kohli’s aggressive burst and stellar batting. He said he was astonished by the quality and flow of the innings, noting how hard it is to sustain such a high level of execution.

“I don’t know if he is playing for England in England! To bat with so much flow is not an easy thing, and the way he is batting is just remarkable, just amazing,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin pointed out that Kohli’s deliberate decision to raise the tempo and keep improving was clear in his recent outings. He added that staying at peak fitness and batting form demands serious effort and behind‑the‑scenes work. The century also pushed Kohli past the 15,000‑run mark in ODIs, another milestone in his storied career.

“You know, maintaining that fitness level at an elite level and keeping batting form at an elite level takes a lot of effort. And I am sure behind closed doors—what we don’t get to see—he is doing a lot of work. So to continue and keep it up for years together, maybe he doesn’t want to do it. But looking at it, after 2027, if he wants to play ODI cricket too, it doesn’t make any practical sense. He doesn’t play Test cricket or T20 cricket either; he’s retired,” Ashwin said.

The attacking mindset shown in Thiruvananthapuram highlighted Kohli’s dedication to maintaining top form for his remaining international assignments. His third‑fastest ODI century demonstrated his skill in blending aggressive intent with technical precision at the sport’s highest level.

India now leads the three‑match series 1‑0 against Shai Hope’s side. The second ODI will take place at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, September 30.

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