Virat Kohli may have missed a century, but his final Vijay Hazare Trophy outing this season showed something bigger than numbers. The former India captain displayed a bold and evolving batting style, underlining how his game continues to grow even at 37. His fluent 77 for Delhi against Gujarat offered a glimpse into a new phase of Kohli’s white-ball approach.
Vijay Hazare Trophy: Virat Kohli Stars for Delhi Against Gujarat
Virat Kohli scored a commanding 77 off 61 balls while representing Delhi against Gujarat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Bengaluru. He walked in early after the fall of the first wicket and immediately took control of the innings.
Kohli attacked from the start. Gujarat’s opening bowlers failed to contain him. He found the boundary with ease and rotated the strike smoothly. His fifty came in just 29 balls, setting the tone for Delhi’s innings.
Vijay Hazare Trophy: Aggressive Intent From the Start
Virat Kohli dominated the second-wicket partnership with Arpit Rana. He faced most of the deliveries and kept the scoring rate high. The pair added 72 runs before Rana departed in the 14th over.
Kohli looked set for a big score. He played with freedom and confidence. However, he lost his wicket against the run of play. He stepped out to spinner Vishal Jayswal and was stumped after missing the turn.
Vijay Hazare Trophy: New Shots & Tactical Shift
The innings stood out for Kohli’s shot selection. He operated in high gear for most of his knock. He even attempted shots rarely seen from him earlier in his career. Virat Kohli used reverse sweeps against left-arm spinner Aarya Desai to disrupt length and field settings. This reflected a clear shift in his mindset.
Since the South Africa series, Virat Kohli has embraced early aggression. He now looks to dominate bowlers rather than settle in.
Vijay Hazare Trophy: Six Consecutive Fifty-Plus Scores in List A
The knock against Gujarat extended Kohli’s incredible List A streak. It marked his sixth consecutive fifty-plus score in the format. His recent scores include 74*, 135, 102, 65*, 131 and now 77. The consistency highlights his control and hunger in white-ball cricket.
Earlier in the tournament, Kohli smashed 131 against Andhra to guide Delhi to a comfortable chase. During that innings, he broke a major record.
Historic List A Records Continue
Virat Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest player to reach 16,000 List A runs. He achieved the milestone in 330 innings. Tendulkar took 391. Kohli also holds the record for being the fastest to every 1,000-run mark beyond 10,000 in List A cricket.
What does This Mean Going Forward?
The Vijay Hazare Trophy has shown Kohli’s hunger remains intact. His evolving style suggests preparation for bigger challenges ahead. With the 2027 ODI World Cup in focus, Virat Kohli’s form sends a strong message. Age has not slowed him down. Instead, it has sharpened his intent. Whether or not he plays further matches this season, Kohli has already made his mark.