Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has claimed that Virat Kohli retired far too early from T20Is and could have easily played until the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be held in the subcontinent, following the latter's brilliant 42-ball 70 against the Rajasthan Royals at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the IPL 2025 on Thursday.
Kohli bid goodbye to T20Is following India's successful run at the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados, where he scored a match-winning knock in the final.
With a relatively young squad at its disposal and without Kohli, Rohit Sharma, or Ravindra Jadeja in its ranks, the Indian team is aiming to defend the championship at home the next year.
“I still think that Virat Kohli retired early from T20I cricket. He could have played until 2026, based on the rhythm with which he is playing right now, and the rhythm during the 2025 Champions Trophy as well," Raina said while speaking on Star Sports.
Before a late burst helped RCB reach 205/5, Kohli batted with ease, scoring 70 off 42 deliveries and forming a 95-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal (50 off 27) for the second wicket.
RCB's bowling unit then rallied to limit the Rajasthan Royals to 194/9 after they were cruising at 110/2. Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood returned game-winning figures of 4/33.
“Look, we’ve had three pretty average games at home, and we discussed a few things we need to get right as a batting unit, and we applied ourselves well to get the total on board," Kohli said while speaking to the host broadcasters after the match.
RCB will next play the Delhi Capitals on Sunday, April 2,7 at the latter’s home.
