New Delhi: Virat Kohli has set social media abuzz with a cryptic message posted just days before India’s ODI series against Australia. The former India captain, who is returning to competitive cricket after more than seven months, shared a motivational quote on X that quickly went viral.
“The only time you truly fail is when you decide to give up,” Kohli wrote on Thursday morning, shortly after Team India arrived in Perth for the three-match ODI series. The post immediately triggered speculation among fans, with many wondering if it hinted at his retirement from the 50-over format.
However, the mystery was soon clarified when Kohli followed it up with another post that revealed the message was part of a promotional campaign for his fashion brand, Wrogn. “Failure teaches you what victory never will,” he added along with a video clip, easing concerns among supporters.
Kohli will feature in India’s first ODI against Australia on Sunday, October 19, in Perth. This will be his first match in the format since March 9, 2025, when he played against New Zealand in Dubai. The 36-year-old is just 54 runs away from becoming the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history, a milestone he could achieve in this series.
The timing of his tweet, though, has reignited conversations about his future in the format. Some believe Kohli may step away from ODIs soon after the series, while others view it as a message to his critics who continue to question his longevity in international cricket.
Kohli had announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier this year, on May 12, 2025, after a disappointing run against New Zealand and Australia. Before that, he bowed out of T20 internationals following India’s T20 World Cup triumph in June 2024, where he scored a match-winning 76 in the final against South Africa.
Now, with his return to the 50-over format, fans are eager to see if Kohli can add another chapter to his storied career or if this series marks the beginning of his final ODI campaign.
