Virat Kohli Rules Out Immediate Retirement Despite Disappointing Australia Tour
Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has clarified that he has no immediate plans to retire, despite acknowledging he may not participate in another Test tour of Australia following India’s recent 3-1 series defeat.
At 36, Kohli admitted at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit that the recent series loss in Australia deeply affected him, describing it as one of the most disappointing experiences of his career. Kohli had shown glimpses of brilliance, including a remarkable unbeaten century in the opening Test in Perth, but struggled overall, accumulating just 190 runs at an average of 23.75.
Reflecting on his performance, Kohli likened the slump to his challenging 2014 tour of England, where he scored only 134 runs. “If I think about how disappointed I’ve felt, the recent Australia series stands out vividly,” Kohli said. “For years, the 2014 England series was the benchmark of disappointment, but I can’t dwell on that. Another tour to Australia in four years might not be possible, and that’s okay. You have to accept what happens and move forward.”
Despite stepping away from Twenty20 international cricket after India’s World Cup victory last year, Kohli remains an active and influential player in the Indian Premier League with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Additionally, he remains integral to India’s Test cricket ambitions and recently contributed significantly to India’s triumph in the 50-over Champions Trophy.
Emphasizing his enduring passion for the sport, Kohli stated, “My motivation isn’t driven by personal milestones or achievements. It’s purely about the joy, passion, and love for cricket. As long as those feelings remain strong, I will keep playing.”
Light-heartedly reassuring his fans, Kohli concluded, “Don’t worry—there are no retirement announcements today. For now, everything is perfectly fine.”
