Virat Kohli said he would not take any decision on retirement at present. He still likes cricket and hence he is enjoying the game. When it is time to say goodbye to the game, I will say that.
Before IPL, Virat gave an interview to his team RCB. In this he said, 'I was very disappointed with my performance on a tour of Australia. Even after a tour of England in 2014, I didn't feel so bad. Virat was only able to score 190 runs in 9 innings on Australia tour. '
Can't go on a tour of Australia again
Kohli said, “The recently completed Australia tour made me very disappointed. Earlier, in 2014, I was harassed for a long time on the Test tour of England, but during the 2018 tour I settled the score.
“When you play international cricket for a long time, people start to have many expectations from you. When you play bad, people feel worse than you.” Kohli could not do anything special in the Test series against New Zealand before the tour of Australia. In 2024, he played 10 Tests and scored 1 half -century and 1 century.
I started paying more attention to the outside things
Kohli further said, 'I started paying more attention to external things. I started thinking that there were only 2-3 days left on the tour, I have to perform. This idea brought more pressure on me and my performance began to deteriorate. '
'After scoring a century in the first Test, my expectations from me also increased. I expected the run but that didn't happen. I also didn't want to decide in a hurry. I spent time with the family, the situation calmed down. Just 5-6 days later I got excited to go to the gym. I thought, let's forget what happened, now you have to focus on the future. '
Virat Kohli (right) said in the interview, “After spending time with the family, I decided to continue playing.
Rahul Bhai helped a lot
Kohli further said, 'Rahul (Dravid) brother helped me a lot.' He said I was not playing for achievement. Keep playing as long as the love for the game is. You also have to talk to yourself and find out what is right.
If your form is bad then you will want to retire, but you have to be patient. When there was a voice coming from inside, I could no longer play cricket at this level. Then focus on the game 6-8 months, if nothing changes, leave the game.
Virat Kohli (right) said that Rahul Dravid (left) asked him to enjoy the game.
The love for cricket has not diminished
Virat said, 'My love and joy of cricket has never diminished. I'm still enjoying my game. I am not going to make any kind of announcement right now. So please be quiet. '
I will not withdraw my retirement for the Olympics
Kohli said, “The inclusion of cricket at the 2028 Olympics is the victory of the game. I think IPL has a major contribution to this. I have retired from the T20 format, to be an Olympic champion would have a good experience, but for this I will not change my decision to retire. '
The Champions Trophy won after a tour of Australia
On a tour of Australia, Virat Kohli was able to score only 190 runs at an average of about 23 in 9 innings of 5 Tests. After scoring a century in the first Test, his bat remained calm. Each time he was caught behind the wicket on the ball outside the stump.
After traveling to Australia in January, he played at the Champions Trophy in February. He was the player of the match against Pakistan and Australia in the big match. The team won the title 12 years after beating New Zealand in the final. Kohli was the second highest run scorer of the team.
Virat Kohli won the Champions Trophy for the second time in 2025. He also won this ICC title in 2013.
Virat will play from RCB
Kohli will also see games from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 18th season of IPL. He has been playing with the same franchise since 2008. Rajat Patidar is the captain of the team and the team will face defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the first match on March 22.
Image Credit: Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).