‘Virat Kohli took early retirement from T20Is, could have played till 2026’: Suresh Raina
New Delhi: Suresh Raina, a former Indian cricketer, suggested that Virat Kohli’s retirement from T20 Internationals was premature. Raina believes Kohli could have continued playing until the 2026 T20 World Cup, to be held in the subcontinent. This opinion followed Kohli’s strong performance of 70 runs from 42 balls against the Rajasthan Royals in Bengaluru.
Raina commented that Kohli’s career wasn’t over and he could continue performing at a top level. Kohli concluded his T20I career successfully, culminating in India’s victory at the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados.
“I still think that Virat Kohli retired early from T20I cricket. He could have played until 2026, based on the rhythm with which he is playing right now, and the rhythm during the 2025 Champions Trophy as well. The way he has maintained his fitness, he looks like he is at his peak still,” Raina said on Star Sports.
Veteran Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma, 35, concluded his T20I career with a decisive final match performance. His impressive 125-match career yielded 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69, including one century and 38 half-centuries, significantly contributing to India’s T20 success.
Virat Kohli’s exceptional T20 World Cup career includes a record 1,292 runs, the most by any player. He also holds the single-tournament record (319 runs in 2014) and boasts the most scores of 50 or more runs (15). Kohli participated in six World Cups throughout his career.
India’s bid to retain their T20 World Cup title in the upcoming year will rely on a younger team, making the absence of veteran players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja a significant factor.
Virat Kohli’s impressive 70-run innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Rajasthan Royals, on a difficult wicket, propelled him to second place in the Orange Cap race. His nine matches have yielded five fifties and a total of 392 runs, placing him just behind Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans, who has scored 417 runs in eight games.
Virat Kohli achieved a new IPL milestone, becoming the first player to surpass 3,500 runs at a single venue, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This accomplishment reinforces his exceptional cricketing legacy.
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