“Virat, please learn from Imran Tahir, who is going at the age of 47” – Former India spinner’s hilarious remark ahead of NZ vs IND 2026 2nd ODI

Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik jokingly suggested that Virat Kohli learn from veteran spinner Imran Tahir about prolonging his career as much as possible ahead of the second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday, November 7. The South African spinner is still active in competitive cricket at the age of 47, having featured in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 a few months back, while Virat Kohli recently turned 38.

Virat Kohli top-scored in the first ODI with 74 off 51 balls, and despite showcasing prime form, there are questions surrounding his long-term future with the Indian team. He has already retired from Tests and T20Is, and has mentioned before that he will not feature in any more World Cups after the one in 2027.

It remains to be seen whether Virat Kohli will continue playing franchise cricket, and how long he will play it for after his international career. However, Murali Kartik urged him to take a leaf from Imran Tahir’s book as he still goes strong despite being close to 50 years old.

“Any sort of criticism drives him. He might not say it in words, but he shows it through actions. There are times when they play within their own shell; they want to make sure. Then you suddenly unleash yourself; you completely unburden yourself of all those shackles. People learn from Virat Kohli, but Virat, please learn from Imran Tahir, who is going at the age of 47,” Kartik said on Cricbuzz.

In September, at 47 years and 166 days, Imran Tahir took 5 for 17 for the Guyana Amazon Warriors against the Saint Lucia Kings, the oldest five-wicket haul in men’s T20 cricket, breaking a record he already owned, proving that he is still capable of playing at the highest level. He ended the CPL 2026 season as joint-highest wicket-taker with 16 scalps as well.

“I am very scared” – Ambati Rayudu’s huge take on Virat Kohli’s career amid NZ vs IND 2026 ODIs

Former India batter Ambati Rayudu, sharing the panel with Kartik, opined that he is not troubled by Kohli’s batting, which he plainly believes is still setting the benchmark for the rest of India’s line-up. What concerns him is what comes after the final innings as he heads into a new phase of his life that won’t have as many challenges as he is used to.

“I am also very scared for him since we are hearing all this retirement news coming up. Eventually, when the curtains come down, I am very scared for him because I don’t think a person like that can stay back home and relax. That World Cup is definitely motivating him, and with the kind of batting that he is doing, he is also setting a standard for the other Indian batters to look up to,” Rayudu said.

Virat Kohli, for now, has only the 2027 World Cup as a stated endpoint, and a five-match ODI series against New Zealand to get through first. The second ODI in Wellington was delayed by rain before skipper Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to field, with India holding a 1-0 lead.

Edited by Gokul Nair