Renowned cricketers like Michael Clarke, Shane Bond, Shane Watson, Kieron Pollard, Alex Hales, and Steven Finn have all shared a common thread in their careers – retirement at the age of 34. However, in a sport where stars often fade as they approach their mid-thirties, Virat Kohli remains a shining beacon of consistency and determination. At the cusp of the ICC World Cup, Kohli’s form remains formidable.
Having achieved nearly everything that world cricket can offer, Kohli continues to be the linchpin of India’s batting lineup across all formats. At the age of 34, he recently etched his name in history with a record-breaking century against Pakistan during the Asia Cup. His contributions were pivotal in securing India’s triumph in the Asia Cup, setting the stage for the upcoming World Cup.
After a well-deserved rest during the initial two matches of the Australia series, Kohli is slated to make his return to the One Day International (ODI) format in India’s final 50-over match before the ICC World Cup 2023. However, with the prospect of an Indian World Cup victory on home soil, questions arise: Could this mark the twilight of Kohli’s illustrious ODI career? AB de Villiers, the legendary South African cricketer, suggests that “it might not be a bad time” for Kohli to contemplate bidding farewell to one of cricket’s most revered formats.
De Villiers, who enjoys a close friendship with Kohli from their time together at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), retired from all forms of cricket at the age of 37. Drawing on this experience, he notes, “But he is in incredible shape and is mentally still there. He has been rested from time to time, which I think is a great move. So, I think the hunger and the fire will still be there,” underlining Kohli’s enduring commitment to the game.
Kohli, often nicknamed ABD himself, achieved a historic feat by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s world record with his stunning century against Pakistan during the Asia Cup. With each passing inning, Kohli inches closer to eclipsing Tendulkar’s record tally of ODI centuries. Yet, De Villiers insists, “I don’t think that is his focus. He wants to win World Cups for his team and be part of a successful unit in all formats of the game.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the ICC World Cup 2023, the future of Virat Kohli’s ODI career remains a subject of speculation. AB de Villiers’ insights provide a glimpse into the mind of the cricketing maestro, leaving fans and enthusiasts pondering whether the forthcoming World Cup will mark a new chapter in Kohli’s illustrious journey.
