Is Virat Kohli Retiring From International Cricket?

After the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Indian legendary batsman Virat Kohli announced his retirement from the twenty20 format.

He retired because he felt he had reached the pinnacle of his career and believed in stepping away after achieving all that was possible.

Kohli’s fans and colleagues were saddened by the news, but were happy for the cricketer.

However, Virat Kohli hadn’t yet said goodbye to the ODI and Test matches, but his recent performance in the IND vs SL ODI series may be predicting an early retirement from the 50-over format as well. 

The star batsman played in all 3 India vs Sri Lanka ODI matches, but could hardly stay on the crease.

In the SL vs IND 1st ODI, Kohli scored a meager 24 before getting lbw out by Wanindu Hasaranga.

With a below par performance in the 1st match, fans and his teammates were expecting him to perform better in the 2nd match, but to everyone's dismay, Virat Kohli got out after making 14 runs. 

In this game, experienced Kohli became the victim of young Jeffrey Vandersay’s exceptional bowling. Vandersay took six wickets in the match. 

With India’s reputation at stake and the looming threat of a series loss, everyone expected Kohli to step up in the IND vs SL 3rd ODI, but what ensued was beyond disappointing. 

For the third time in a row, Kohli was taken out lbw, but by Dunith Wellalage this time. The legendary cricketer only scored 20 runs. 

All three dismissals of Kohli showed his struggle against spin bowling.

Such a disappointing performance, that too, during a crucial time has raised some questions about Kohli’s future in international cricket. 

Multiple netizens joked about the change in Virat Kohli’s approach towards cricket. They were seen saying that Kohli just doesn’t care about cricket anymore.

The cricketer himself hasn’t responded to the trolling, but would surely be looking to make amends however possible. 

Kohli also engaged in a verbal exchange with Sri Lanka bowler Asitha Fernando while batting in the third ODI.

Virat Kohli opened his innings with a lucky boundary through an edge off Fernando's delivery. He defended the third ball when Fernando said something to him on follow through, to which Kohli also reacted and gave him a mouthful while charging towards him at the non-striker end where Rohit Sharma was standing.

However, all's well that ends well. The two cricketers were seen exchanging smiles and a handshake.

READ: IND vs SL - Sri Lanka’s Victory Drought Against India Ends