Opener Virender Sehwag said Virat Kohli ended his Test career too early due to his impressive fitness and determination, as he could have represented India for several more years. Kohli recently told the world he would retire from Test cricket after playing in 123 matches. At his retirement, Sachin Tendulkar had amassed 9,230 runs with an average close to 50 in Tests, including 30 hundreds.
Though many are surprised by the timing of Kohli’s retirement, Sehwag points out that active players do not match his physical standards. “At this stage in his life, Virat is healthier than 90% of today’s cricketers,” according to Sehwag. “He had at least two more years left to contribute to the team in Tests.” Virat Kohli’s poor performances in Tests led to him losing his spot.
Kohli decided to retire from Tests after his performance in the last few Australia and New Zealand series was below his usual standards. Team India was stunned by a 3-0 loss in their Test series at home to New Zealand, and Kohli managed 93 runs overall from six innings. After getting a strong century in the first Perth Test, his runs in the other Tests dropped sharply, as he only scored 85 in the following seven matches.
Because of these issues, India’s former captain seems to have decided to play in formats where his performance is always noticeable. The form of these teams is reaching its peak in the current edition of the IPL. Though he will no longer play in Test cricket, Kohli’s recent results in white-ball cricket show that he’s still a force to be reckoned with. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the experienced batter has gathered 505 runs in 11 matches with an average of 63.12. RCB’s strong position in the playoffs can be attributed to Glenn Maxwell’s form, as the team leads the points table with 17 points in 12 games.
Kohli plays so well in the IPL, which backs up Sehwag’s belief that the batter is always as loyal and dedicated as possible. Looking ahead, as Kohli retires from Test cricket, his legacy continues with his fitness influence, strict methods, and strong desire. Although he is leaving the Test format, many will still enjoy watching him perform in shorter series matches. Regardless of whether he captains a team or helps younger players, Virat Kohli continues to greatly influence world cricket.
