Virat Kohli has long been the face of Indian cricket, admired for his consistency, determination and ability to inspire teammates with his fierce approach to the game.
Even after stepping away from certain formats, he remains an icon whose choices shape conversations about the future of Indian cricket. His strong views on how he wants to be remembered as a player recently came to light through young Uttar Pradesh batter Swastik Chikara.
Swastik Chikara, who came close to Virat Kohli during the IPL 2025 season as part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, revealed that Virat Kohli had made it clear he would never reduce himself to the role of an “impact player”.
According to him, Virat Kohli believes he will continue playing cricket only as long as he is fully fit, fielding for the entire 20 overs and batting with complete commitment. The day he is asked to feature only as a substitute or impact player, he would prefer to retire altogether. For Kohli, the game is about competing like a lion, not compromising with half measures.
Virat Kohli retired from T20 internationals after India’s World Cup victory in June 2024 and announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025. However, he continues to feature in the IPL, where his presence remains crucial for RCB both on and off the field. His stance reflects his desire to leave the game on his own terms, rather than stretching his career into roles that don’t align with his identity as a complete player.
As of now, Virat Kohli is currently out of action, with India preparing for the Asia Cup beginning September 9 and culminating in the final on September 28. Discussions with the BCCI about his international future, along with Rohit Sharma’s, are expected once the tournament ends. While both have retired from two formats, questions remain about their continuity in ODIs, especially with a white-ball tour of Australia approaching.
Adding to the speculation, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were recently removed from the ICC ODI batting rankings because of a technical glitch, despite still being active players. The incident only intensified debates about how long the two stalwarts will carry on in international cricket, keeping fans guessing about the next chapter in their legendary careers.
