AB de Villiers believes Virat Kohli is currently a better version of the player who dominated international cricket during his peak years around 2016. The former South Africa captain feels Kohli's recent transformation has allowed him to play with greater freedom, trust his instincts and express himself without the intense pressure that previously shaped his approach. De Villiers said the Indian batter now appears relaxed at the crease and believes there could be even more to come from him in the remaining years of his career.
Kohli's recent performances have provided strong evidence of the change in his approach. In the first ODI against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram, he smashed an unbeaten 139 from just 88 balls, hitting 10 fours and nine sixes. The innings came as Kohli moved towards the landmark of 15,000 ODI runs and showcased a more aggressive style, with the veteran batter taking on the bowling attack rather than relying solely on the controlled approach that characterised much of his earlier career.
The change has been particularly notable since the South Africa series. Across 12 ODI innings, Kohli has accumulated 854 runs at a strike rate of 117.63, while his last 10 innings have produced 825 runs. That places the current run among the most productive 10-innings stretches in ODI history, with only six such sequences having yielded more runs. Two of those six belong to Kohli himself, from outstanding periods in 2012 and 2018, highlighting just how significant his current form has been.
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De Villiers, speaking to Sports Today, said the difference is largely down to Kohli's mental approach. He recalled seeing signs of the change during the 2025 Champions Trophy, although he felt Kohli briefly returned to some of his old habits before rediscovering his freedom. De Villiers said Kohli now appears to be playing without overthinking situations, allowing his natural instincts to guide his decisions. According to him, this relaxed approach is helping Kohli make better choices and bring out a side of his game that has not always been visible to fans.
The South African also compared the current version with Kohli's celebrated 2016-18 period, when the Indian amassed 3,401 runs in 66 matches at a strike rate close to 100. Kohli's current strike rate of 117.94 is the highest of his career, while he has already struck 17 sixes this year. De Villiers said he believes supporters are seeing more of the aggressive and instinctive side of Kohli, adding that younger members of the Indian dressing room can learn from the mindset he now brings to the game.
Kohli has scored 552 runs from nine ODIs this year and remains among the leading run-scorers in the format. De Villiers believes the new version of the batter could have a major impact on India's plans for the 2027 World Cup, particularly if he continues to play with the same freedom. Kohli himself recently said he has challenged himself to raise his game by another gear or two, suggesting that his current transformation may not yet have reached its limit. His next opportunity to continue the run will come with India's upcoming assignment against New Zealand.
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