Virat Kohli Launches LinkedIn Profile

Virat Kohli has made a surprising move into the corporate world, joining the professional network LinkedIn. The 37-year-old cricket icon, who has confirmed the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his final international tournament, used his first post to outline his vision for building global sports brands from India. This signals a clear shift towards his post-cricket career as an entrepreneur and investor.

Kohli's LinkedIn Debut Points to a Business Future

Kohli's arrival on LinkedIn has gone viral. With over 271 million Instagram followers, his professional pivot is being closely watched. In his post, he wrote of wanting "to see an India where every sport is followed, celebrated, and played." His extensive business portfolio already spans fashion, hospitality, fitness, and startups. This platform debut strongly suggests his focus is expanding as his playing days wind down. He remains active only in ODI cricket after retiring from Tests and T20Is.

A Rival's Homage to the Kohli Masterclass

Even as Kohli plans his next chapter, his current batting genius remains the gold standard for opponents. Australian batter Nathan McSweeney recently credited studying Kohli's technique for his own success in India. McSweeney scored 194 runs, including a century, to be named Player of the Series as Australia A won an unofficial ODI series against India A 2-1. He specifically studied YouTube videos of how Kohli plays spin bowling on subcontinent pitches. "McSweeney says studying Virat Kohli's handling of spin on YouTube helped his success," the source noted, proving Kohli's method is still a vital tutorial for the next generation.

The Lingering Debate Over His Test Exit

Kohli's retirement from Test cricket earlier this year continues to spark discussion. Selector Ajit Agarkar has recently faced questions over how the star batter was treated during the transition. While the exact nature of the questions isn't detailed, the report confirms the issue remains a talking point within Indian cricket circles. This scrutiny highlights the complex process of managing the departure of a legend who scored over 8,000 Test runs.

The 2027 World Cup Age Question

Despite being 39 when the 2027 World Cup is played, Kohli's place is supported by a key BCCI official. Board president Mithun Manhas stated that age should not be a barrier if performance and fitness are maintained. Manhas told Sportstar, "fitness and performance should be the criteria for selection, and definitely not age." Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who will be over 40, recently scored centuries in an ODI series against the West Indies, strengthening their cases. Manhas also believes their experience would aid captain Shubman Gill.

• LinkedIn Launch: Virat Kohli has joined LinkedIn as a Founder & Investor.
• Technical Blueprint: Australian batter Nathan McSweeney used YouTube videos of Kohli playing spin to score 194 runs and win a series in India.
• Selection Policy: BCCI president Mithun Manhas says fitness and form, not age, should decide selection for the 2027 World Cup, boosting Kohli's chances.
• Legacy Records: Kohli, alongside Joe Root, is still chasing some of Sachin Tendulkar's monumental records, including most international matches (664) and boundaries.

Kohli's immediate future is a balancing act. He is preparing for one last World Cup campaign while actively building his business empire. And his on-field mastery is so complete that rivals are still using his old highlights as a textbook for success.