2016 was the year of Virat. To say the Indian Test skipper, recently installed as captain for ODI and T20 sides, had his annus mirabilis last year would almost be an understatement.

Kohli averaged above 75 in all three formats in 2016, a feat that had never been done before. His 2595 total international runs were the seventh-most ever scored in one year, and of the five batsmen to have totalled more (Kumar Sangakkara has scored more twice), not a single one could boast an average anywhere near Kohli’s 86.50. Ricky Ponting’s average of 66.42 while scoring 2657 runs in 2003 comes the closest.

The Indian captain picked up where he left off on Sunday, anchoring India’s chase of a daunting target of 351 against England in the first ODI of the series with another superlative century. By the time he left the crease, having scored 122 off of 105 balls, India were favorites to win the game, which had looked unlikely when they had stumbled to 63 for 4.

Kedar Jadhav became the rare example of a player outshining Kohli, picking up the Man-of-the-Match award for his 120 off of 76 deliveries which, along with Kohli’s innings, helped win the match. But the spotlight was almost entirely on Kohli after yet another display of invincible batting.

A few days before the ODI, ex-England skipper Nasser Hussain got Kohli to give a literal masterclass in batting, gaining a fascinating insight into what Kohli has done to find his top form, as well as how his mind works.

The masterclass began with a flashback to 2014. If all anyone has seen of Kohli’s batting is the last couple of years, it’s hard to believe that India’s latest superstar endured a massive struggle during his team’s tour of England, with James Anderson making Kohli his bunny in that series.

While Kohli was quick to acknowledge the vast disparity in conditions between those on offer in 2014 and the current home series against England, he also explained how he fixed the kinks that had made him a walking wicket two-and-a-half years ago.

“I was expecting the inswinger too much,” Kohli said. “That opened up my hip a lot more than what should have been done in a Test series in England. I kept looking for the inswinger and I was in no position to counter the outswing.”

He proceeded to demonstrate how he made a minor adjustment by ensuring his back foot points towards point, rather than cover, so that he can react to the ball swinging away. He also widened his stance in order to maintain good balance while moving forward. The results are there for all to see.

Moving to his limited-overs batting, the 28-year-old also explained how a slight adjustment to his grip has given him more options against yorker-length deliveries. He is a naturally leg-side player, but with this change, he has added the ability to slice a yorker-length ball towards – or even over – point.

Kohli has excelled across situations and formats over the past year, but he will always be identified with successful run chases. Kohli’s century on Sunday was his 15th in a successful chase, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 14.

What makes him so good at assessing a chase? “In general, we keep looking for goals in life,” Kohli explained. “That [the run chase] is just an opportunity for me to see the scoreboard and do something special, and do something that’s in my control mentally.”

“Batting first, you go with the momentum of the game, understanding how the wicket is, trying to set a target. But when you’re chasing totals down, you understand exactly what needs to be done,” he added.

When discussing run chases, Kohli’s immense self-belief, a characteristic that has taken him to the heights he has reached, shines through. “I always believe in myself that I can get, say, a couple of 20-run overs in the end so that the run-rate drops. Having a target on the scoreboard and understanding how many balls to get it in, I usually target to finish it two or three overs before.”

Kohli had endeared himself to Indian fans following the 2011 World Cup final, when he and his teammates carried Tendulkar around Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Hussain asked him if he felt that it is now his turn to carry Indian cricket.

“It’s really difficult to achieve what [Sachin’s] been able to achieve,” Kohli said. “But, yes, as long as I play, I want to take up the responsibility of taking Indian cricket forward – and make a difference. You must leave the game in a better place when you stop playing. All I can say is, I’ll give my very best to make sure Indian cricket stays on top until the last day I play this game.”

Knowing Kohli, that is a target he will approach with the same determination and desire he approaches a 350-run chase – and hopefully, with the same degree of success.