Team India is heading to another World Cup with seemingly all boxes checked in all departments. As was in the previous edition and the one before that, all eyes would be on Virat Kohli to lead India’s charge in the batting department in the tournament. However, thanks to the rotation policy of the management and the selectors, Virat Kohli has more often been rested for a series than he has played in this calendar year.
The upcoming World Cup will be a crucial one for senior players including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have been sidelined from the T20I team ever since their exit from the T20 World Cup last year. The result of the mega event will dictate how their careers will move forward, as a loss might prompt the authorities to rethink, while a World Cup will also invite talks of retirement.
Virat Kohli is in incredible shape- AB de Villiers
Former South African batsman AB De Villiers feels that Virat Kohli should bid adieu to the ODI format after the conclusion of ODI WC 2023 and focus on Test cricket. AB de Villiers praised that Virat Kohli still has the fire & hunger to win the matches for the team.
“I know he loves travelling to South Africa, but it’s very difficult to say. It is a long time away. Let’s focus on this one first, I think that’s what Virat Kohli would tell you. I think if they win this World Cup, it might not be a bad time to say, ‘Thank you very much. I am maybe just going to play Test cricket for the next few years and a little bit of IPL, enjoy the last bit of my career, have enough family time, and say goodbye to everyone,” said AB de Villiers.
“But he is in incredible shape and is mentally still there. He has been rested from time to time, which I think is a great move. So, I think the hunger and the fire will still be there,” he added.
Virat Kohli wants to win World Cups for his team- AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers pointed out that Virat Kohli never prioritizes his personal milestones and stated that Virat is a team person. AB de Villiers made it clear that Virat Kohli is the best ODI batter. AB de Villiers pointed out that Virat’s track record while chasing is quite commendable.
“I don’t think that is his focus. That is not his main drive. He has never been all about myself kind of a guy. He wants to win World Cups for his team and be part of a successful unit in all formats of the game,” said AB de Villiers.
“He is a team player, and that’s what you see on the field (with) all those emotions coming out. Especially when he is fielding, there is nothing really to gain for him, but you could see that emotion, which tells you how much it means to him to win,” he stated.
“There is no doubt about this (Virat Kohli being the best ODI batter). I think there have been more explosive batters who have had a bigger impact in a shorter period of time. But if you look at Virat’s stats and what he has done over the years, especially batting under pressure in the second innings, he is certainly the best batter to have played ODI cricket in my books,” he added.