Virat Kohli Retirement Explained by Ab de Villiers

Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket surprised many, but former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate Ab de Villiers believes Kohli simply followed his gut. The focus keyphrase Virat Kohli retirement fits perfectly here, as de Villiers shed light on why Kohli stepped away so abruptly from the longest format of the game. With a legendary career spanning 14 years, Kohli’s exit leaves a big gap, especially since India is now entering a new era under Shubman Gill’s leadership, moving past the iconic Ro-Ko duo.

Ab de Villiers on Virat Kohli Retirement

De Villiers told the Times of India that Virat Kohli retirement wasn’t just a decision but a feeling. According to him, Kohli listened to his heart and followed his instincts. Over the years, Kohli has given cricket fans countless moments of brilliance, and de Villiers acknowledged how lucky fans are to still witness him in other formats of the game. “He must have listened to his heart. He followed his gut feeling. He has done a lot for cricket around the world over the years, and luckily we still see him on the cricket field,” de Villiers said.

The Timing Behind Virat Kohli Retirement

In early May, India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed that Kohli had communicated his retirement decision in April. Kohli felt he could no longer meet the demands and standards of Test cricket, which led him to step down. Agarkar stated, “Virat reached out early April & said he had made up his mind (to retire from Test cricket).” This honest admission shows the maturity behind the move and how Kohli wanted to exit on his own terms.

Kohli’s Test Career in Numbers

Kohli debuted in Tests in 2011 and played 123 matches, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. His contributions to red-ball cricket created a rich legacy that will be remembered by cricket lovers everywhere. Kohli also announced his retirement via social media, expressing gratitude for the incredible journey. Cricket Army fans worldwide are surely feeling the impact of this major shift in Indian cricket.

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