India’s Cricket Icon Virat Kohli Opens Up on Why He Stepped Away from T20 Internationals!!!
Virat Kohli Breaks Silence on T20I Retirement: “It Was Time for the Next Generation”
Batting legend Virat Kohli has finally opened up about his surprise decision to retire from T20 Internationals, nearly 10 months after India lifted the T20 World Cup in June 2024.
Kohli, who was named Player of the Match for his crucial 76 off 59 balls in the final against South Africa at the Kensington Oval, stunned fans worldwide when he announced his retirement from T20Is during the post-match ceremony. The win marked India’s historic triumph under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, and Kohli walked away from the format after an illustrious career—125 matches and 4,188 runs.
Now, in a candid conversation on the RCB Podcast, Kohli explained the thought process behind his decision.
“It was purely about giving the new batch of players enough time,” he said. “They need a proper two-year cycle to grow, handle pressure, and be ready to deliver on the world stage. The 2026 World Cup is theirs to own.”
Kohli’s announcement came alongside similar exits by fellow veterans Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, marking a generational shift in Indian T20 cricket.
Apart from sharing his reasons for stepping away, Kohli also reflected on his deep bond with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a franchise he has loyally served since the IPL’s inception.
“No trophy or silverware compares to the love I’ve received from RCB fans,” he shared.
The former RCB skipper also credited South African great Mark Boucher for mentoring him during his early IPL days.
“Boucher made me realise what I needed to reach the next level. His words stayed with me—he told me if I wasn’t playing for India in a few years, I’d be doing a disservice to myself.”
Currently, Kohli is in red-hot form in IPL 2025, with 443 runs in 10 innings at an average of 63.29, including six half-centuries. RCB sits at second place on the points table and is set to host Chennai Super Kings in a high-stakes clash on Saturday.
During his 14-year-long T20I career, Kohli played 125 matches and scored one century and 38 half-centuries. He finished his career with a batting average of 48.7. Kohli is the all-time leading run-getter in T20 World Cup history.
T20 World Cup 2026: India Set to Defend Title at Home
The 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled for February–March 2026, and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
With Suryakumar Yadav currently leading the Indian T20I side, the explosive Mumbai batter is expected to captain the team in their title defense. Having won the trophy in 2024, India will aim to become the first team in history to lift the T20 World Cup three times.
All eyes will be on the Men in Blue as they prepare to defend their crown on home soil.
