Virat Kohli has become calmer and wiser after marriage: Former India star

Virat Kohli, who celebrated his 37th birthday recently, continues to be one of Indian cricket’s biggest icons. Having retired from T20Is and Tests, the former captain is now in the latter stages of his illustrious career. 

In the recent ODI series against Australia, Kohli faced a tough phase—registering two ducks before bouncing back with an unbeaten 74 in the final match. Several cricketing greats believe that as long as Kohli maintains his fitness, he should be part of India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which would mark his fifth appearance in the tournament since debuting in the 2011 edition.

Reflecting on Kohli’s evolution, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif shared his observations about how marriage and fatherhood have transformed the star batsman. Responding to a fan’s question on whether Kohli has changed over the years, Kaif offered an insightful perspective.

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“Virat Kohli has become noticeably calmer now. He’s a father, and that maturity shows in his demeanor. There’s a clear difference between the Kohli before marriage and the Kohli we see today,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel. “When I met him during an IPL match against Punjab Kings, he had just scored a fifty on a seaming track and helped his team win. I remember him stepping out to hit Kagiso Rabada for a boundary early in the innings. Later, he told me, ‘If I hadn’t attacked Rabada early, he wouldn’t have let me settle.’ That shows how his cricketing awareness has evolved—he’s calm yet tactically sharp.”

Kaif further praised Kohli’s relentless drive to improve despite his long and successful career. “Even after so many years, he’s still eager to get better. Off the field, too, he remains the same person—grounded and respectful. If he once called you a brother, he still treats you that way. That part of his personality hasn’t changed,” Kaif added.