Has Virat Kohli Retired Too Early from the T20 Format?
In the IPL 2025 clash against Rajasthan Royals, Virat Kohli dazzled with a brilliant 70 off 42 balls, once again emerging as Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s top scorer this season. His stellar form has reignited debate among fans, did Kohli retire too soon from T20 internationals, especially with the World Cup on the horizon? The question now lingers stronger than ever.
One of the best batsmen of the Indian team and the player who has shown the world what “consistency” means in the cricketing world, Virat Kohli has been absolutely phenomenal for the Indian Cricket Team and Royal Challengers Bengaluru where he has scored the runs for them. Even in the match against the Rajasthan Royals, Kohli once again proved why he’s considered one of the greatest. In the 42nd match of the Indian Premier League 2025, played in Bengaluru on April 24, Kohli delivered a classy knock of 70 runs from just 42 deliveries.
Opening the innings for RCB, he anchored the batting lineup with his trademark timing and strokeplay. His innings included crisp boundaries and smart running between the wickets, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. This half-century marked his fifth of the season, further highlighting his excellent form in IPL 2025. Thanks to his knock, Royal Challengers Bengaluru posted a strong total of 205 for 5 in their 20 overs. While Rajasthan Royals had chosen to field first, they were put on the back foot early by Kohli’s fluency at the crease. So far in this IPL season, Kohli has played 9 matches and remains not out in 3 of those.
“Aaj 24th April hai, aaj run bana liya.” 🥰 pic.twitter.com/IAbranMvjQ
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) April 24, 2025
He has scored a total of 392 runs, with a best of 73 not out. He averages an impressive 65.33 and has maintained a healthy strike rate of 144.11. With 35 fours and 13 sixes to his name, Kohli has lit up the tournament yet again. Currently, he stands as the second-highest run scorer in the IPL 2025 season, only behind B Sai Sudharsan, who has 417 runs in 8 matches. Kohli’s consistency and impact at the top order continue to be crucial for RCB, as they push for a playoff spot.
Suresh Raina Believes Virat Kohli Retired Too Early from T20 Cricket
In the game vs Rajasthan Royals, Virat Kohli was seen in full form with 70 runs off just 42 balls, smashing 8 boundaries and 2 sixes at a strike rate of 166.66. He looked completely in control and paced his innings perfectly. After this brilliant knock, Suresh Raina stated, “Virat Kohli took an early retirement from T20Is. He could’ve easily played till 2026”. His statement reflects what many fans believe that Kohli still had plenty left in the tank and could have been part of the squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Suresh Raina said, "Virat Kohli took an early retirement from T20is. He could've easily played till 2026". (Star Sports). pic.twitter.com/rIheKiPZdD
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 24, 2025
Looking at the numbers, Kohli’s form in the IPL has been nothing short of outstanding. In his last 25 IPL innings, he has scored a massive 1264 runs at an average of 70 and a strike rate of 152. These are dream numbers for any batter, and no one else comes close — Sai Sudharsan follows him with 1169 runs at 49, and Shubman Gill has 1146 at 50. Kohli’s ability to consistently score big and do so at a brisk pace has truly set him apart. He also leads the charts for most 50-plus scores in IPL this decade with 27 such knocks, jointly topping the list with KL Rahul.
Most IPL Runs in last 25 innings
— The Cricket Panda (@TheCricketPanda) April 24, 2025
(Average/SR)
1264: Virat Kohli (𝟕𝟎/152)
1169: Sai Sudharsan (49/146)
1146: Shubman Gill (50/160)
1018: Devon Conway (46/140)
962: KL Rahul (44/138)
947: Suryakumar Yadav (50/169)
941: Ruturaj Gaikwad (43/144)
934: Nicholas Pooran (52/189)…
Faf du Plessis has 26, followed by Gill with 23 and Gaikwad with 22. These figures show how dominant Kohli has been in T20 cricket over the years. Even though he retired from T20Is after helping India win the 2024 T20 World Cup, his stats show that he was still among the very best. With his consistency, form, and fitness, many feel Kohli could have easily continued until the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Why Has Virat Kohli Been So Consistent for India and RCB Over the Years?
Virat Kohli has been nothing short of extraordinary for both Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Indian cricket team in the T20 format. His numbers and impact speak volumes about his consistency, class, and ability to perform under pressure. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kohli has been the heart and soul of the franchise. With 8396 runs in 261 matches at an average of 39.42 and a strike rate of 132.49, he is not only RCB’s highest run-getter but also the highest in IPL history. He has scored 8 centuries and 60 fifties, along with 740 fours and 285 sixes, showing his ability to accelerate when needed.
VIRAT KOHLI IN THE LAST 26 INNINGS IN IPL:
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 24, 2025
100(63), 101*(61), 21(20), 77(49), 83*(59), 22(16), 113*(72), 3(9), 42(20), 18(7), 51(43), 70*(44), 42(27), 92(47), 27(13), 47(29), 33(24), 59*(36), 31(30), 7(6), 67(42), 22(14), 62*(45), 1(3), 73*(54) & 70(42). pic.twitter.com/ztD2RbRcjc
Kohli won the Orange Cap in 2016, smashing a record-breaking 973 runs in a single season, a feat that still stands unbeaten. In 2024, he repeated his dominance, bagging the Orange Cap again and proving that age is just a number when it comes to his form. As a captain, he led RCB with passion and belief, taking the team to playoffs on multiple occasions and setting high standards of fitness and performance. When it comes to India, Kohli’s T20I career is equally spectacular. In 125 matches, he has scored 4188 runs at an astonishing average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04.
ICC POTT for India
— . (@Stan_Kohli18) December 22, 2023
Virat Kohli – 03 🐐
All other cricketers combined – 02#ViratKohli𓃵pic.twitter.com/wkB4dSXQNM
With 1 century and 38 half-centuries, he has been India’s backbone in T20 cricket. Kohli was named the Player of the Tournament in both the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups, guiding India to the finals in 2014 and the semis in 2016. His knock against Australia and his unreal chase against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup are etched in every fan’s memory. In the 2024 T20 World Cup final, Kohli rose to the occasion once again, delivering a match-winning knock and earning the Player of the Match award as India lifted the trophy. Be it for RCB or India, Kohli has always stepped up when the team needed him the most, and his legacy in T20 cricket is truly legendary.
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