Will Virat Kohli retire from the One Day International format as well after the India vs Australia series? Will he play in the ICC World Cup 2027? There are multiple questions linked with Virat Kohli's future in international cricket. Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik has a clear view on that with proper explanations. The former keeper-batter explained through his latest Instagram video why Virat Kohli will be a key part for India in the next ODI World Cup. With proper stats and examples of Kohli's dedication, Karthik tried to put some light on the burning topic—Virat Kohli's possible retirement. 

In the first week of October, BCCI's chief selector was asked about Rohit Sharma and Kohli's chances to play in the upcoming World Cup. Instead of offering a clear-cut reply, Agarkar provided more ingredients to make the speculations more complex. 

"I mean, that’s the format they are playing at the moment (Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma). We picked them, but as far as the 2027 World Cup is concerned. I don’t think we need to talk about it today. Obviously, with the captaincy change, that’s generally the thought," Ajit Agarkar said during a press conference. 

Read More: WATCH: More dangerous yorker than Jasprit Bumrah! Meet Eden Apple Tom who dismisses Ruturaj Gaikwad in Ranji Trophy match

Karthik, who is the mentor of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and a close one of Virat Kohli, shared that the batting maestro still has the hunger for scoring runs and rehearsed batting for 2-3 sessionsa week during the long layoff. 

Dinesh Karthik clears mystery over Virat Kohli's retirement 

"Virat is keen to play the World Cup; in London he was practicing hard during this long layoff, & I also know he was practicing cricket 2-3 sessions every week, as I was there," Karthik said. 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Dinesh Karthik (@dk00019)

Through the same video, Karthik paid a focus on some of Virat's numbers produced during the series against South Africa, where the pitch was a little bit 'spicy,' and the Champions Trophy 2025, where India emerged as the winner. According to the former cricketer, Virat Kohli was the main reason for the aggressive batting from Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and other batters of the team in the Champions Trophy 2025. 

The scorching heat of September at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi during the second Test between India and West Indies has made an effect on the Indian pacer, Mohammed Siraj, who collapsed on the floor, having been exhausted with two days’ of fielding in consecutive innings as India enforced the follow-on with the lead of 270 runs. The alarming moment came after Siraj’s six-over spell post lunch.

Siraj sent back Shai Hope in that spell. After completing the century, the right-handed batter was foxed by the short ball and got an inside edge into the stumps on the following day to get back into the dressing room for 103 runs. Siraj staggered back into the Indian dugout and slumped into the chair.

See Also: [WATCH] KL Rahul falls on ground in pain after ball hits him in box during IND vs WI 2nd Test

It prompted an immediate medical attention from the team’s medical staff. An ice packet was parked on his head and face to lower the temperature as the physiotherapist messaged his feet to relax his muscles as the commentators, Dinesh Karthik and Ian Bishopr, saw the moment.

Dinesh Karthik calls Mohammed Siraj’s message king-like treatment during IND vs WI 2nd Test

Siraj picked up two wickets in the clash. Apart from the wicket of Hope, he drew the first blood with the wicket of Tagenarine Chanderpaul. The left-handed opening batter wasn’t fully committed to the pull shot and mistimed it into the hands of the mid-wicket field.

“What we see right now is the fast bowlers being treated like kings after a hard spell. It's the same case everywhere, by the way. I just need to let viewers know that it's not just on the ground, off the field, but also in the com box. We've got to be careful when you do that with Bish. The ice (needs to be placed) straight on the head to calm him down at times. For Bish and for Siraj.” Karthik commented during the clash.

Twin centuries from Hope and John Campbell helped the visitors post 390 in the second innings which set a target of 121 runs for the Indian side, who batted to decrease the goal to 58 runs for the fifth and final day to seal the series by 2-0.  

Another Murali Vijay-Dinesh Karthik-like episode to unfold in Indian cricket? Rumors have started to float around the Indian cricket circle. A recent claim in social media has sparked the speculations. It is claimed that a former cricketer is ready to start a new chapter with one of his friend's partners. Though, in the post, none of the names are revealed. So, as of now, netizens can only speculate about the probable name of the cricket personalities. 

Murali Vijay-Dinesh Karthik controversy: 

Indian cricket fans still can remember the days when Vijay and Karthik were in the headlines for their personal reasons. Both players, who were teammates in the Tamil Nadu domestic cricket, reportedly faced tension for their personal relationships related to events involving Karthik’s then-wife, Nikitha Vanjara. Karthik and Vanjara were friends from their childhood days and tied the knot in 2007.

After about 5 years of their marriage life, during the 2012 domestic season, it was reported that Vanjara grew a close relationship with his husband's teammate Murali Vijay. Shortly after the news broke out, Dinesh Karthik and Nikitha Vanjara officially parted ways. Later, Nikitha married Murali Vijay, and the couple has since built a family together.

28 सितंबर के बाद से भारतीय क्रिकेट में एक और मुरली-कार्तिक कांड चर्चा में है। एक पूर्व क्रिकेटर जो अपने दोस्त क्रिकेटर की हमसफर के साथ नए सफर पर निकलने को तैयार हैं। सबको पता है... कुछ को नहीं पता है...#IndianCricket

— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) October 7, 2025

Read More: Watch: Emerging Australian batter training under Yuvraj Singh's father

Despite the personal fallout, both Karthik and Vijay have maintained professionalism, having shared dressing rooms for Tamil Nadu and India after the incident without any public animosity. After the divorce, Karthik moved on with his life and married Indian squash star Dipika Pallikal in 2015, and Vijay continued his career in cricket. 

After a lot of discussion and rumors in the media and among their fans, both of the international cricketers never showed disrespect to each other and maintained out-and-out professionalism to date. 

The 6th edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) is returning later this year. After being suspended in July, the league will now take place from December 1 to 23, 2025. This will be the first time the LPL has taken place in the December window, giving fans more cricket to enjoy during the festive period. .

According to a report from IANS, the upcoming edition will feature a total of 24 matches, comprising 20 league fixtures and 4 knockout games, hosted across three premier venues – R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, and Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla. The report also added that Indian cricketers are also set to feature in the Lanka Premier League for the first time in history. "For the very first time, Indian cricketers are expected to join the action; their names will be revealed soon, adding a whole new level of excitement for fans across the region," a press release said.

It is likely that R Ashwin, Dinesh Karthik, and also the likes of Piyush Chawla will register their name for the LPL. Although, it is worth noting that in the past, Irfan Pathan has played in Sri Lanka's premier T20 league. “The timing of this edition has been carefully chosen to ensure that players gain maximum exposure and high-quality match practice in the lead-up to a global cricketing year. Over the seasons, the LPL has emerged as a breeding ground for fresh talent, with several youngsters making their mark alongside international stars. This year too, we believe the league will throw up exciting new names who can go on to spring surprises on the world stage ahead of the World Cup,” Samantha Dodanwela, Tournament Director, LPL, said.

Tournament promises exciting action

LPL Tournament Director Samantha Dodanwela said the timing of this season has been chosen carefully so players can gain good match experience before a busy cricketing year. The LPL has helped many young Sri Lankan players make a name for themselves, and this year’s edition is expected to do the same.

See Also: [WATCH] Sana Mir analyzes Muneeba Ali's run-out from IND-W vs PAK-W clash during Women's World Cup 2025

The 2025 edition will feature five teams, but details about them are yet to be confirmed. Interestingly, the LPL will also clash with the ILT20 and BBL 2025–26, which could make player selection and scheduling quite interesting.

The Hong Kong Sixes 2025 will start from November 7 to 9. It’s a exciting sixes hitting cricket tournament, with each team playing six overs per match. In the last season in 2024, 12 international teams took part. They were split into four groups of three teams each, and every team played the other two teams in their group once. The top two teams from each group moved on to the quarter-finals, while the third-placed teams played in the Bowl league.

The two best teams from the Bowl league then played in the Bowl final. The winners of the quarter-finals went on to the semi-finals, and the semi-final winners played in the final. Teams that lost in the quarter-finals got another chance in the Plate semi-finals, with the winner moving on to the Plate final.

Hong Kong Sixes 2025: Tournament & Teams Details

BCCI named Shubman Gill as the captain of India's ODI team for the upcoming tour of Australia, where the Men in Blue brigade will play 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is. Rohit Sharma is in the ODI squad but not as a captain, only as a batsman. It is now official that Sharma is no longer the leader of the team. On the occasion, former India cricketer and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting coach Dinesh Karthik thanked the Mumbaikar for the contributions he has made to take the Indian cricket team to glory. Karthik shared a video on Instagram where he explained how Rohit Sharma helped the team to shape up. Karthik said that Rohit taught the cricketers how to face tough moments. The batter as a leader always kept himself in front and was phenomenal in crucial matches. But more than that, it was Rohit Sharma's friendly nature that impressed Karthik most. 

"Rohit Sharma. Thank you so much. You were a phenomenal captain, tactically astute, but most importantly, very, very friendly and got along with everyone and made them feel so comfortable. But for me, the legacy that you've left as a captain. In those big moments, those big matches, you taught this current team what it takes to win," Dinesh Karthik said in his Instagram video. 

"At times we used to take the backwards step, but you said, 'I think we need to press forward, put more pressure on the opponent, and take more risks,' and you didn't leave it to anyone else." I think you started it with the bat when, in the big matches, you said, 'I'm going to go harder,' and that required skill. You got it done, and you did it consistently. In the last 3 multi-nation tournaments that we have played, India has lost just one game."

Read More: Former India player questions Rohit Sharma's captains snub ahead of ODI World Cup 2027

Dinesh Karthik mesmerized by the legacy of Rohit Sharma 

The former cricketer also put some focus on India's performances in ICC events under Sharma's captaincy. He gave a reminder about the ICC T20I World Cup 2024, the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, and the Asia Cup as well. 

Karthik added, "2024 T20 World Cup campaign unbeaten, Champions Trophy unbeaten. 2023, just that final. That is outstanding. And even after that you can see the aftereffects. Asia Cup unbeaten with a young team. That is what you've given this team, India. You've left it in a better place than what it was when you started, and that's always a great sign of a leader."

Former India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru player Dinesh Karthik has been appointed as the captain of Team India for the upcoming Hong Kong Sixes tournament. The announcement was made official by Hong Kong Cricket on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Known for his smart cricketing skills and 360-degree stroke play, Karthik brings a lot of experience in T20 cricket. He has also led Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and played for RCB during the final years of his career.

Karthik has played in global T20 leagues since he retired from international cricket and the IPL. Most recently, he made his overseas debut with the Paarl Royals in the recent SA20 season. His previous leadership, batting experience, and ability to perform under pressure make him an ideal candidate for the captaincy of India in the fast-paced six-a-side format.

Cricket Hong Kong expressed confidence in Karthik’s appointment, saying on X, “We are proud to welcome Dinesh Karthik as the Captain of Team India for the Hong Kong Sixes 2025. With his vast international experience, sharp leadership skills, and explosive batting, Dinesh will bring both inspiration and intensity to the tournament. His appointment reflects the spirit of the Sixes fearless, entertaining, and world-class.”

Karthik’s Career and T20 Record

Dinesh Karthik has had a career that has gone nearly 20 years. He had played 412 T20 matches, scoring 7,537 runs at an average of 27.01 and a strike rate of 136.66. He has played for six teams in IPL: MI, RCB, KKR, Gujarat Lions, DC and PBKS. He scored 4,842 runs in 234 innings from 2008 to 2024.

See Also: Big blow for Australia as star all-rounder ruled out of Women’s World Cup 2025

Karthik played for the Paarl Royals in the SA20 league, scoring 130 runs in eight innings, with a total of fifty runs. He has not had much recent exposure to international cricket, although with his T20 experience, leadership qualities, and composure under pressure, he would be an ideal candidate to lead Team India at the Hong Kong Sixes 2025. Fans can't wait to see Karthik lead the side while at the same time show his batting skills at this exciting six-a-side tournament.

The former Indian wicket-keeper batter, Dinesh Karthik, has called the former captain of the Blue Brigade, Virat Kohli, the modern-day hero of the era. He believed that every young boy and girl should watch the Delhi-born of how he keeps himself in shape despite several distractions in the modern era.

Kohli, who recently won his very first IPL title for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, is the third leading run-getter in international cricket. The right-handed batter has clubbed 27599 runs for India in 617 innings across formats at an average of 52.27 and a strike rate of nearly 80 with the help of 82 centuries and 143 half-centuries at the best score of 254*.

See Also: Is Pakistan Boycotting match against UAE in ongoing Asia Cup 2025?

“Virat Kohli is the modern-day Day Hero that every young boy and girl should watch because what he does off the field is what makes him so special. Today's world has so many distractions, and that's a big challenge. Virat Kohli is one such player who is able to manage all the distractions in life quite nicely. Even today, he's playing just one format, but I know that he's training, he's keeping his body fit.” Karthik expressed during a recent interaction on India Today.

Dinesh Karthik calls Virat Kohli his ‘modern-day hero’ in current era

Karthik also highlighted how incredible Kohli has been in winning games for the national side and any other team. Whenever it comes to chasing down targets, there is hardly anyone better than Kohli in understanding the situations and handling pressure.

“I don't think anybody has shown that kind of consistency in winning games as Virat Kohli for a long period of time across all three formats. There are a lot of people who have won games, but Kohli did across all three formats for a longer period of time.” The current mentor of the Bengaluru franchise explained.

Kohli’s last action in the field came during the IPL 2025 final against the Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad. He, however, has already started practice in London with an aim to be back for the Blue Brigade during the three-match ODI series against Australia down under. Like Rohit Sharma, the veteran has the lone aim of winning the 2027 ODI World Cup.

It’s the story of the last over drama of the T20 World Cup 2022 against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where India found themselves under pressure. They lost Hardik Pandya on the very first ball before their wicket-keeper batter, Dinesh Kathik, walked into the middle.

After the no-ball from Mohammed Nawaz, Virat Kohli swung his willow on the free hit as the ball hit the stumps with the batters coming back for three runs. Karthik revealed that the Delhi-born had no idea of where the ball went after it disturbed the stumps when Kohli missed the high full-toss.

See Also: 5 players Royal Challengers Bengaluru might release before IPL 2026 auction ft Liam Livingstone

“Virat didn't know where the ball went, so I had to alert him at that stage. I was pretty shocked because it's a shot I normally play, and I played the sweep shot. He bowled it right into my pads, and I knew that was what he would do because of the field set. So it was all set but just not meant to be.” The Chennai-born revealed during an interaction on Cricbuzz.

Dinesh Karthik looks back at last-over drama against Pakistan of T20 World Cup 2022

Karthik praised Ravichandran Ashwin for his right approach, which he called the ‘gully cricket approach.’ In that case, Ashwin left the first ball, which went into the leg side with the umpires calling it a wide ball. Later, he drove the full ball over the covers for a single to complete the successful chase.

“I didn't know where the ball was, but the best part was Ashwin came in and played a bit of gully cricket and got it done quite nicely. He said that happened because he had played so much gully cricket in his building and his colony. So he is so used to doing it when somebody bowls down the leg, you move and get an extra ball.” Karthik addressed.

“At that time, I was literally just wishing that the Virat Kohli - Hardik Pandya partnership would be fruitful because I was padded up next. I was just doing my usual calculations as the overs went one by one. And I always have two images in my mind - one I am batting with Hardik and one I am batting with Virat Kohli.” The current RCB mentor concluded.

The former Indian wicket-keeper batter, Dinesh Karthik, has gone back to the history book to praise Virat Kohli for walking the talk during a vital clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2015 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Karthik recalls the bold planning of Kohli in RCB’s team meeting.

In 11 overs, Hyderabad posted 135/3 with two half-centuries from David Warner and the number three batter, Moises Henriques. In reply during the second innings, Bengaluru needed to get the target of 81 runs in just six overs after the rain reduced the encounter, making batting tougher on a wet surface.

See Also: Top 3 players to watch from Oman ahead of Asia Cup 2025

“There are a lot of people over a period who have won games, but Kohli had this amazing ability. The bigger the game, the more he brought himself to the party. And I've been with him a lot. So there was this game against SRH, RCB versus SRH in 2015. It was a must-win game.” Karthik claimed during a recent interaction with India Today.

Dinesh Karthik leaks Virat Kohli’s bold planning against Dale Steyn of IPL 2015

Kohli remained unbeaten on 44 runs in 19 balls at a strike rate of 231 with the help of three boundaries and as many sixes, while his opening partner, David Warner, smacked 35 runs in 10 balls, thanks to four boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 350. RCB chased down the target by six wickets on the penultimate delivery.

“David Warner was their captain, and Virat was RCB's captain. And I remember walking into this team meeting, and we had this batting meeting. They (SRH) had Dale Steyn, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and we used to obviously look at bowlers and say, ‘This is what he's looking to do, how are we going to take him down?’” RCB’s current head coach addressed.

“Kohli said, ‘Don't worry, I'll take him down’. His confidence almost drove him to success. He wanted to take down the best bowler on the opponent's team. That's what he thrived on, and that I really enjoyed watching because in that game, he really took Dale Steyn down. That game I was like, ‘Wow.’ Now, this is a skill that not many people can have.” Dinesh Karthik concluded.