Robin Uthappa backs Virat Kohli playing domestic cricket ahead of IND vs NZ 2026 ODIs

Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa has backed Virat Kohli’s decision to play domestic cricket ahead of the five-match series against New Zealand. Kohli has confirmed availability to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi.

However, Kohli won’t be available to play in all the matches for Delhi in the 50-over domestic tournament. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli scored 302 runs in three ODIs against South Africa at an average of 151 and a strike rate of 117.05 and was awarded Player of the Series.

After scoring two back-to-back centuries in the first two games, Kohli continued his rich form in the series decider on Saturday, scoring an unbeaten knock of 65 runs off just 45 balls in the run-chase of 271.

Robin Uthappa said on his YouTube Channel, “Three weeks ago Virat had confirmed that he would play, and all this about whether he will play or he is not going to play, it’s all conjecture. He already knew, and the communication was already that he would play, three weeks ago.”

“For him, the more matches he plays, the better it is for him, because it helps build flow. When you get older, you want to play as many matches as possible. How much match practice will he even get in London or in India, if he doesn’t play actual competitive matches? He also feels his mental preparation is key. He has done it for 20 years; he knows how to do it. He is a master of ODI cricket, but still, you need those reps in the middle. It always helps. So, that communication was already done between the important people and him, that he’s going to play a bunch of games for DDCA,” he added.

The former flamboyant batter said the firing is still burning in Kohli to deliver the goods consistently at the top level.

“I just think he’s (Virat Kohli) getting ready very early and his eyes are really still. His technique hasn’t changed; it has pretty much been the same. If there’s any change, like a very fine change, that we can’t really decipher just by watching, that’s the great thing about his batting, that his pushback is absolutely immaculate.”

“Even when he’s stepping out, his hands are still, his hand is still, his eyes are still, he always tracks the ball beautifully. The steadiness in his eyes is the best in the world, and very few people can watch the ball the way Virat does. See, Virat has always been an energy guy. The energy he brings, that fire he brings into every innings, that’s what drives his performance. It was so fresh and nice that it’s there, it has come back, that fire is there. That was extremely pleasing to see,” he added.

Kohli will be next seen in action in the ODI series against the Kiwis.