Virat Kohli Hints at his Retirement
Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has hinted at the possibility that he may not feature in another Test series in Australia. Reflecting on his recent struggles in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the right-handed batter admitted that this tour might have been his last Down Under. Despite starting strong with a century in the second innings of the Perth Test, Kohli struggled throughout the five-match series, repeatedly falling to deliveries outside off stump. Australian pacers Scott Boland, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood proved to be a persistent challenge, restricting the former India captain to just 190 runs across nine innings.
Australia has historically been a venue where Kohli has excelled—his twin centuries in the 2014 Adelaide Test being a prime example. However, the 2024-25 series painted a starkly different picture, as the usually dominant batter looked far from his best.
Kohli acknowledged that his numbers could have been even worse had it not been for his century in Perth. Speaking at RCB Innovation Labs, he expressed acceptance over the tour’s outcome, stating, “If you ask me about my biggest disappointment, the most recent Australia tour is the freshest. It might feel the most intense, but I can’t dwell on it. I might not have another Australia tour in me four years from now.”
Recognizing that he won’t get another opportunity to set things right, Kohli emphasized the importance of moving forward. Drawing a comparison to his 2014 England tour—where he redeemed himself in 2018—he admitted that such a chance might not come again. However, he reassured fans that he is not announcing anything at this moment. “Don’t get nervous. I’m not making any announcements. I still love playing the game,” he added.
India’s 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy also meant that they failed to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final for the first time. With India’s next Test series in Australia likely scheduled for 2028-29, Kohli’s participation in another tour seems uncertain.
Reflecting on his mindset, Kohli spoke about dealing with disappointment. “Once you start looking at failure from an external perspective, it becomes a bigger burden. I had a good start in the first Test and thought, ‘Here comes another big series for me.’ But it didn’t work out that way. The key is acceptance—I have to be honest with myself,” he stated.
India’s Dominance in Champions Trophy 2025
Kohli also praised India’s performance in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, highlighting that the team was the strongest side in the competition. Led by Rohit Sharma, India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and clinched the title by defeating New Zealand in the final at the Dubai International Stadium.
Kohli played a crucial role in India’s success, scoring a match-winning century against Pakistan and contributing a vital 84-run knock off 98 balls in the semi-final against Australia.
Possible Olympic Comeback in 2028?
In a surprising revelation, Kohli hinted at the possibility of coming out of T20I retirement for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Cricket is set to be a part of the Games, and Kohli expressed excitement at the prospect of winning an Olympic gold medal.
“I don’t know, maybe if we’re playing for the gold medal, I might sneak in for one game, get the medal, and come back home,” he joked. However, he also acknowledged the significance of the Olympics, stating, “Becoming Olympic champions would be a magnificent achievement—one of a kind. I’m sure we’ll be close to it.”
As Kohli continues to assess his future, his passion for the game remains undiminished, leaving fans eager to see what lies ahead for one of India’s greatest cricketers.