Virat Kohli's recent century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has reignited the debate about his form and future, but a former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate is staunchly defending the Indian star, asserting that Kohli can never be written off.

Kohli's return to domestic cricket after a 15-year gap saw him score a commanding 131 off 101 balls for Delhi against Andhra Pradesh at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Delhi chased down the target of 299 in just 37.4 overs, securing a four-wicket victory. This was Kohli's 58th List A century and his fifth for Delhi. His innings included 14 fours and 3 sixes and he also passed Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest to 16,000 List A runs.

The match, however, was a low-key affair, with barely a hundred spectators present and no live television coverage. Despite the subdued setting, Kohli's performance was a masterclass, eclipsing all other performances.

Mohammad Kaif, Kohli's former RCB teammate, has consistently backed Kohli, even when critics questioned his place in the team. Kaif noted a change in Kohli's demeanor, observing that he now appears calmer and that this composure has aided his understanding of the game. "Virat Kohli has become a bit calm now," Kaif stated, adding that Kohli's hunger to improve remains unchanged despite his superstar status.

Kohli's century came after a strong showing in the series against South Africa, where he scored 302 runs, including two centuries. He has been in excellent form since returning to action in Australia, and has scored three centuries in his last four innings. His childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, believes Kohli's current form makes him a strong candidate for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Sharma emphasized Kohli's consistency and adaptability, stating, "He has been in brilliant touch and remains one of India's most reliable players".

Other reactions to Kohli's century have been overwhelmingly positive. Virender Sehwag said that for Kohli, "making runs is as easy as making tea for us," while Shikhar Dhawan hailed Kohli for "setting the standard for consistency and hunger". Rohit Sharma's exuberant celebration of Kohli's 52nd ODI century went viral, demonstrating the strong camaraderie between the two players.

Despite the outpouring of support, some fans have criticized the BCCI for the poor video quality of the footage released from the Vijay Hazare Trophy match. Others lamented the lack of live coverage, preventing fans from witnessing Kohli's innings.

Kohli's return to form has solidified his position as a key player for India. As one former India spinner noted, "When you know how to score runs, when you know how to make hundreds, that's a good habit to have". Kohli's latest century serves as a powerful reminder that his talent and determination cannot be underestimated.