Virat Kohli’s sudden retirement from Test cricket has sparked widespread debate across the cricketing world. While Kohli’s form in the red-ball format had seen a decline, his decision to step away at 36-just shy of the 10,000-run milestone-left many surprised. Among the most vocal is former Indian opener Virender Sehwag, who believes Kohli’s fitness and hunger for runs could have easily seen him excel for at least two more years.
Virender Sehwag expresses his views on Virat Kohli’s Test retirement
Sehwag, himself a legend of Indian Test cricket, has always admired Kohli’s relentless drive. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Sehwag emphasized that Kohli’s “hunger for runs is what makes him different, sets him apart. He follows his routine, his hard work, whether or not he’s making runs”. This unwavering discipline, Sehwag argues, is rare among modern cricketers and was a key factor in Kohli’s longevity and consistency at the top level.
Despite a noticeable dip in batting form-particularly in recent series against Australia and New Zealand, Kohli’s commitment to fitness remained unmatched even at 36.
Sehwag added: “He will leave 90% of players behind in fitness, I would say because of that, I would say he retired too early in Tests; he could comfortably have played two more years.”
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Kohli’s fitness, form, and the timing of farewell
Kohli’s decision comes at a time when Indian cricket is transitioning, with other senior players like Rohit Sharma also stepping aside. While Kohli’s recent Test numbers may not reflect his peak, his physical standards and intensity on the field have never wavered. Sehwag also pointed out that Kohli’s famous fitness regime was designed for longevity, not just peak performance, making his early exit all the more surprising.
The statistics support Sehwag’s claim: Kohli retired with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, including 30 centuries, and was just short of joining the elite club of Indians with 10,000 Test runs. His leadership saw India rise to the top of the Test rankings and achieve historic overseas victories. Yet, as Sehwag noted, “fitness was never an issue for Kohli,” and even as his reflexes showed slight regression, he remained a crucial presence in the Indian dressing room.
Kohli’s retirement has left a significant void, not just in the Indian lineup but also in the hearts of fans. A planned felicitation at the Chinnaswamy Stadium was washed out by rain, postponing the public’s chance to bid farewell to a modern great.
