Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has questioned Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from T20 internationals, following Kohli’s impressive 70-run knock for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during their IPL 2025 clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Kohli’s IPL dominance reignites retirement debate
Raina believes Kohli may have announced his T20I retirement too early, suggesting the star batter could have continued until the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be hosted in the subcontinent. Despite stepping away from T20Is, Kohli’s performances indicate he still has much to offer at the highest level.
“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.
Kohli announced his retirement from T20 internationals on a high, after leading India to a memorable T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in Barbados, where they defeated South Africa in the final.
Kohli’s illustrious T20I legacy
The 36-year-old batter played a pivotal role in India’s World Cup success and leaves behind an extraordinary T20I record. Kohli scored 4,188 runs in 125 T20Is at an average of 48.69, with one century and 38 fifties.
Even after retirement, Kohli remains the highest run-getter in T20 World Cup history with 1,292 runs. He holds records for:
- Most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition (319 runs in 2014)
- Most 50-plus scores (15)
Over his career, he featured in six T20 World Cups, setting benchmarks for future generations.
Kohli’s final international chapter
Kohli’s last international assignment came at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he continued to shine. He scored 218 runs in five matches, including an unbeaten century against Pakistan, finishing as the tournament’s fifth-highest run-scorer. India, unbeaten throughout the tournament, clinched the title with a victory over New Zealand in the final.
Despite stepping away from T20Is, Kohli’s remarkable form in IPL 2025 and his recent international performances fuel ongoing discussions about what could have been had he extended his T20I career.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
