“Run machine has become an intent machine” – Former opener hails Virat Kohli after 1st NZ vs IND 2026 ODI

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has stated that run machine Virat Kohli has now also become an intent machine. Praising the former India captain, Chopra stated that he played a crucial knock in a tricky chase against New Zealand.

Kohli top-scored 74 off 51 as India beat New Zealand by five wickets (DLS target) in the first ODI at the Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4. Chasing a revised target of 143 in 32 overs, the Men in Blue got home in 22.4 overs.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra hailed Kohli and said:

“The run machine has become an intent machine. The way he is playing, the way he is expressing himself, it is a challenge to capture it in words. Because everyone else was stumbling and he was flying. Yes, it was a small total, but things can get a little tricky because of rain. There was some help for fast bowlers, but India has won the game and has taken a 1-0 lead.”

Kohli hit 13 fours and a six in his fluent knock before being caught at deep square leg off a short ball from Jacob Duffy.

Aakash Chopra reflects on aggressive shift in Virat Kohli’s batting

Till a few years back, Kohli was known as an accumulator of runs, who broke free only when the situation demanded. However, in the last year or so, the right-hander has batted in ultra-aggressive mode. Sharing his views on the same, Chopra shared some startling stats and added:

“Till 2025, his strike rate was 93.7. He used to hit a six every 94 balls. He used to run and run and make a lot of runs. But now look at this year. In 2026, the strike rate has become 120. He is hitting a six every 28th ball. From 94 to 28 balls, this is a huge change. This guy is absolutely stellar and he is rewinding the clock.”

In 10 ODIs in 2026, Kohli has scored 626 runs at an average of 69.55 and a strike rate of 120.61, with two hundreds and four half-centuries. He registered scores of 93, 23 and 124 against New Zealand at home at the start of the year. After scoring consecutive fifties in England in July, he followed it up with 139* off 88 against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram in September.

Edited by Renin Wilben Albert