Former India batter Ambati Rayudu heaped praise on ace batter Virat Kohli, adding that he is a game-changer in Indian cricket. The cricketer-turned-commentator also said that Kohli has given Indian cricket the next 100 years by raising fitness standards to a level that has redefined the game in the country.
Kohli has been a key player in modern Indian cricket with consistent success across all formats. The right-handed batter is second on India’s all-time run charts in both ODIs and T20Is. It is worth mentioning that the 36-year-old is the most successful captain of the national cricket team in Test cricket.
Indian Cricket Has Reached Another Level – Ambati Rayudu
Speaking on a YouTube podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, Ambati Rayudu credited Virat Kohli for improving the team’s fitness standards. Rayudu added that many players were naturally fit before, but Kohli’s approach took Indian cricket to an entirely new level.
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“The kind of things he has done for Indian cricket, I don’t think anyone else has. And his value, many people don’t realize,” Rayudu stated on the ‘Unplugged’ podcast.
“It’s not just about his batting. Yes, batting is there, but fitness. Before him, players were fit, naturally fit, many of them. But because of him, Indian cricket has reached another level,” he added.
Virat Kohli Has Given Indian Cricket the Next 100 Years – Ambati Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu stated that Virat Kohli has given Indian cricket a foundation for the next century. Rayudu added that this shift has especially benefited Test cricket and will ensure India’s long-term dominance.
“Virat Kohli has given Indian cricket the next 100 years in which Indian cricket will dominate. Because what he started is extraordinary. He had the skill, but to that skill he added fitness. Once you are fit, you are always mentally sharper, and your cricketing execution improves that much more. So for Test cricket also, it is very good,” Rayudu said.
He Took It Too Early – Ambati Rayudu on Virat Kohli’s Retirement
Ambati Rayudu expressed disappointment over Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Tests. The former CSK and MI batter said that Kohli retired too soon, saying he was still among the fittest players and should have continued, including in the recent England series.
“In my opinion, he took it too early, 100 per cent. He should have played this series (against England). He should have played a lot more. Fitness-wise, I don’t think even half the players are fitter than him,” Rayudu stated.
“I just hope he is happy. Because sometimes people think if you have so many hundreds, or so much money, then you are happy. But eventually, I just hope that he is happy,” he further said.
Virat Kohli recently completed 17 years in international cricket. He made his debut in 2008 against Sri Lanka in Dambulla. The star batter is active in ODIs and is preparing for the upcoming three-match series against Australia in October.
Kohli was last seen in action during IPL 2025. He was instrumental in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden IPL title win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final. Kohli also made key contributions in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 triumph under Rohit Sharma’s leadership.
