Virat Kohli’s Cricketing Future-Coach Rajkumar Sharma’s Bold Prediction

Virat Kohli, one of the most celebrated cricketers of his generation, continues to dominate the international cricketing arena with his unparalleled skill, passion, and dedication. Despite stepping away from T20 Internationals, his journey is far from over, and if his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma is to be believed, Kohli could remain a force in the sport well into his 40s.

With his regular fitness regimen, impeccable technique, and desire to overwhelm, Kohli has remained at top-level performance across all formats, reaffirming time and again why he is one of the greats of the modern era. Sharma, who saw Kohli mature from a boy to a man, is confident that the batting great has four years of international cricket and a decade of franchise cricket, most importantly the Indian Premier League (IPL), if he goes on.

A Force to be Reckoned With in World Cricket

Spells by Kohli in the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are proof enough of the fact that he is not loosening his defenses or lowering the effort rate. With one of India's key players in tournament advancement under captain Rohit Sharma, Kohli honed his wizardry with a century—his 51st in ODIs and 82nd in all—to cast his spell on arch-rivals Pakistan. Other than for a 22-run contribution solo effort against Bangladesh in the first game, his wicket-keeping was as assured and commanding as ever.

Apart from that, he also broke a new record as the fastest to score 14,000 One Day International runs, cementing himself further in history. His versatility, ability to construct an innings, and capability to dominate the game cannot be challenged by anyone. Balancing an innings in One Day Internationals or demonstrating determination in Test cricket, Kohli's dependability makes him an Indian cricketer India cannot live without.

The Road to the 2027 World Cup

While the world of cricket focuses on the 2027 ICC World Cup in South Africa, there is much hullabaloo surrounding whether Kohli would feature in another World Cup campaign. Since age is likely to be the deciding factor in cricket longevity, most people think that the job of maintaining top-level cricket till the late 30s and early 40s is a tiring one. As it might be, Kohli, like Sachin Tendulkar and M.S. Dhoni, the great man, has gone against the grain with his relentless pursuit of fitness and discipline.

Rajkumar Sharma is optimistic that if Kohli continues to prioritize his fitness and retains his hunger for competition, he could still be a vital figure in India’s 2027 World Cup squad. Kohli’s experience and ability to handle high-pressure situations could make him a guiding force for the younger generation of cricketers.

A Long IPL Stint in the Offing?

Even if Kohli ever thinks of quitting international cricket, he is free to play out his career in the IPL, whose contribution towards Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been just humongous. Some of the players have gone on to extend their careers with franchise cricket, and Kohli can learn one or two things from M.S. Dhoni, who played for Chennai Super Kings at the age of 40.

Kohli’s approach to the T20 format, his ability to pace an innings, and his unmatched aggression make him a valuable asset for any team. With the evolution of the game and advancements in sports science, it is no longer uncommon for players to continue playing high-intensity cricket well into their late 30s and even early 40s. Given Kohli’s commitment to peak physical fitness, he might remain a dominant presence in T20 leagues worldwide.

Farewell T20Is but Not Cricket

Kohli formally bid farewell to T20 Internationals as India defeated South Africa by a heart-pumping seven runs at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown during their second T20 World Cup win. His game-winning 76 off 59 balls during the final saw him receive the Player-of-the-Match, a richly deserving one for his treasure-stocked T20I career.

Completing India's second-highest T20I run-scorer, Kohli had amassed 4,188 runs in 125 matches at a strike rate of 137.04 and average of 48.69. Although his international T20I career is done, he remains a hot property in the shorter formats, particularly in franchise cricket.

The Kohli Legacy-More Than Just Numbers

Numbers are not sufficient to quantify the contribution of Virat Kohli to cricket. His aggressive style of play, record-setting consistency, and capacity to adapt according to the situation have impacted an entire generation of cricketers. Breaking records and establishing new standards of brilliance while doing so, his influence goes beyond runs and the centuries as well.

Rajkumar Sharma’s prediction that Kohli could continue to play top-level cricket for several more years is not just wishful thinking—it is based on Kohli’s extraordinary work ethic and deep love for the game. Whether in international cricket or franchise leagues, his presence on the field will remain an inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide.

As cricket fans eagerly watch Kohli’s journey unfold, one thing is certain—his story is far from over.