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Virat Kohli’s Test retirement continues to be a topic of discussion among the global cricket community.

 

Kohli hung up his boots after 123 Test matches, falling just short of the all-important 10,000-run mark that would have placed him in the elite bracket that boasts of just three other Indian batters.

 

While Kohli has suffered a serious slump in the levels he can hit and consistency, he was still seen as a crucial part of the Indian team.

 

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag opines that Kohli is a class apart among his generation of cricketers, and he was surprised not to see that translate to an extended career in red ball cricket.

 

In a latest interview on the sidelines of RCB’s rained out match against KKR, Sehwag explained why Kohli still holds a special place among his peers.

 

“His hunger for runs is what makes him different, sets him apart. He follows his routine, his hard work, whether or not he’s making runs," Sehwag was reported as saying by a news media outlet.

 

Sehwag further said on the training pitch, Kohli’s age isn’t a factor, as he can still physically perform better than the best.

 

Also read: Shivam Shukla replaces Rovman Powell in KKR for IPL 2025

 

“Kohli will leave 90 per cent of the players behind in fitness even at 36 years old. I would say because of that, he retired too early in Tests, he could comfortably have played 2 more years,” Sehwag said.

 

While Kohli continues to be at the peak of his physical fitness, over the last few years he did lagged behind in terms of his batting technique.

 

Meanwhile, ahead of the Indian Premier League 2025 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium turned into a sea of white as a host of RCB fans arrived wearing Virat Kohli’s Test jersey — the iconic No. 18 in India whites — to pay tribute to the star batter, who recently announced his retirement from Test cricket.

 

However, as the match got called off due to rain in Bengaluru, the fans as well as Kohli will have to wait for the special moment.