In a recent statement at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Royal Gala Dinner, India’s star batter and former captain Virat Kohli shared his retirement plans, emphasizing his desire to leave no unfinished business before bringing the curtain down on his illustrious career. Kohli, who has been India’s finest player over the last decade, made his international debut in 2008 in an ODI match against Sri Lanka at Dambulla.
Since then, he has featured in 113 Tests, 292 ODIs, and 117 T20Is, amassing an impressive 26,733 international runs across formats, including 80 centuries.“I think as a sportsman, we do have an end date to our careers. So, I am just working backward. I don’t want to finish my career thinking ‘Oh, what if I had done this on that particular day’ because I can’t keep going on and on forever. So, it’s just about not leaving any undone business behind and not having any regrets later, which I am sure I won’t,” Kohli said.
The 35-year-old prolific right-hander, who is currently in great form in the ongoing IPL with 661 runs in 13 innings at 66.10, emphasized his commitment to giving it his all until the very end.” Once I am done, I will be gone, you won’t see me for a while. So, I want to give it everything I have till the time I play, and that’s the only thing that keeps me going,” he added.
Kohli’s tally of international centuries is only fewer than Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record for the most international tons (100). He will also be a part of India’s squad for next month’s ICC T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies, where he will look to add another trophy to his already impressive collection. As Kohli approaches the twilight of his career, his words resonate with a sense of purpose and determination to leave a lasting legacy on the sport he has dominated for over a decade. Fans eagerly await to see what the future holds for this cricketing icon as he continues to push the boundaries of excellence
