Cricket timetables are typically mere numbers and dates. They sometimes, however, mould history. The future international calendar of India is one such affair not necessarily, because of its hectic schedule, but rather, because of what it may mean to one man.
Virat Kohli is no longer after form at this point in his career, but time.
Kohli now has ODIs as the focus of his career after parting ways with Test and T20 formats. And the following months offer in cricket what is a rarity in recent days a series of games in one kind. It is just that type of rhythm that great batters depend on.
The Indian team would be playing several ODI series under various conditions at home, in England and also in other destinations such as New Zealand. To most players, this is a future thing. To Kohli, it seems to be a well-crafted last chapter.
The talk around him turns itself of course to records. The international cricket record of 100 remains high courtesy of Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli is the only player who is active and even remotely near that figure. Interesting though is what this phase promises; not necessarily the figures, but the potential.
Since chances of this kind are not common in modern day cricket. Momentum is typically interrupted by rotations, formats and packed calendars. But here, Kohli may have a steady flow of matches – something which has invariably drawn out the best in him.
Nevertheless, this is not only about centuries.
India is also undergoing a critical planning stage towards the 2027 World Cup. It will be important to build a stable ODI unit, find combinations and outline roles. Kohli is not just a batter in that set-up, but he is the pivot around which the team nevertheless spins.
It involves a slight change as well. Earlier, Kohli was the future. Then he became the present. He is gradually becoming the link between the ages now, as he leads a team that is transforming around him.
And that makes the difference of this period.
It is not always the number of runs he makes.
It is the length of time he can continue doing it.
And whether this stretch will be where numbers will be a thing of the past.
Due to the fact that there are times when a schedule is not a list of matches.
Sometimes, it’s a countdown.