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Virat Kohli's Brand and Legacy Resonate as BCCI VP Backs

2026-09-22 · Virat Kohli · Player Focus

Virat Kohli's presence is being felt at the Asian Games 2026, not with a bat but through his brand and inspirational legacy, even as a senior BCCI official backs the veteran batter for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The former India captain remains a central figure in cricket discussions, from his commercial ventures to his future in the national team and the respect he commands from opponents.

BCCI Official Confirms Kohli in 2027 World Cup Frame

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has stated that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma still have "a lot of cricket left in them" despite their advancing ages. Kohli will be 38 in November 2026, and Rohit is approaching 40, raising natural questions about their participation in the 2027 50-over World Cup. Shukla, speaking in late September 2026, clarified that the final selection decision rests with the national selectors but offered a strong vote of confidence. Sustained performance will be the key factor for both veterans to make the squad for the tournament in southern Africa.

Kohli's One8 Brand Worn by Record-Breaking Mandhana

Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana made a subtle nod to Kohli's influence during the Asian Games cricket semifinals in Aichi-Nagoya. In practice sessions ahead of India's match against Bangladesh on September 19, 2026, Mandhana was seen wearing footwear from One8, a brand co-created by Virat Kohli. This visual connection emerged as Mandhana herself entered the history books, becoming the highest run-scorer in Women's T20I history with 4,765 runs during the tournament. India is aiming to defend the women's cricket gold medal they won in Hangzhou.

Asian Games Shooter Cites Kohli as Inspiration

Indian shooter Himanshu Dhillon, who won two silver medals in the 10m air rifle event at the Asian Games on September 21, 2026, directly credited Virat Kohli as a source of inspiration. "Virat Kohli inspires me," Dhillon said after his dream debut, which included a team silver with Rudrankksh Patil and Parth Mane and an individual silver. He finished with a score of 252.4, only beaten by a Games record 254.2 from China's Lihao Sheng. Dhillon's success story adds to the instances of athletes across sports drawing motivation from Kohli's career and mindset.

Ish Sodhi Details the Battle of Bowling to Kohli

New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi has provided a technical insight into the challenge of facing Kohli, having dismissed him six times in 15 innings across formats. In an exclusive interview, Sodhi revealed the Indian batter is "always really confident" and constantly looks to dominate matchups, putting bowlers under immediate pressure. He praised Kohli's competitive nature and considered himself fortunate to have had a degree of success in their encounters. Sodhi's comments highlight the enduring tactical puzzle that Kohli, even in the latter stages of his career, presents to world-class bowlers.

  • BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla believes Virat Kohli has plenty of cricket left and is in contention for the 2027 World Cup.
  • Smriti Mandhana wore Kohli's One8 brand shoes while breaking the Women's T20I run-scoring record at the Asian Games 2026.
  • Shooter Himanshu Dhillon won two Asian Games silver medals and stated that Virat Kohli is a personal inspiration.
  • New Zealand's Ish Sodhi, who has dismissed Kohli six times, explained the immense confidence and pressure the batter brings to every contest.

The convergence of these stories in late September 2026 paints a picture of Virat Kohli as a varied icon. His future with the Indian team is being actively discussed, his brand is visibly associated with other champions, and his legacy continues to motivate the next generation of Indian athletes even at a multi-sport event like the Asian Games.

More Virat Kohli news →