STOP the debate over King Kohli and Novak Djokovic

Longevity and continuance in sports, these are personal choices as well. That is, if you take Novak Djokovic and Virat Kohli as prime examples. Before one jumps and asks, why not speak of Young Turks, say, like Shubman Gill or a Jannik Sinner, hang on. There is something called a winner, and, yet, at the same time someone who is a champion, a legend.

If you are a student of sports, like me, you will understand the nuances. Of course, each fan is also a student and a keen observer, but whoever can be more discerning is in a better position to understand. What King Kohli posted on his social media handle, X, formerly known as Twitter, was short and sweet. “The only time you truly fail, is when you decide to give up.” Well, this one post from Kohli went viral on Thursday. 

The only time you truly fail, is when you decide to give up.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) October 16, 2025

Having flown from London to New Delhi, also attended to certain personal, family matters in Gurugram (Gurgaon), then hooked up with teammates and again flow to Australia, this tells you about Kohli. And if you think the ODI series in Australia will be his farewell, or swansong, go ahead. One look at the post on social media, it is clear the former India captain is in no mood to give up. Millions of words have been written, about Kohli as well as former captain Rohit Sharma.

Now, it is certain, the RoKo duo will try their best in Australia and see how it goes.  For those who were waiting to see a Virat Kohli show up in a Ranji Trophy match last year for Delhi, there was mischief as well. His decision to move to London is personal. It must be respected as well, as that concerns his immediate family.

Moving to London does not mean he has put on weight and given up training. See what respected analyst and commentator Dinesh Karthik has said in a recent video, that Kohli still gets in hard training sessions at least thrice a week. Given his voracious appetite and workload in terms of training and also be at throwdowns, if that be the phrase, Kohli does not need favours from the BCCI. Today, Ajit Agarkar may appear as powerful, full of swagger as well. That’s good, but surely Agarkar will not alone decide the fate of Kohli and how long he stays.

The 2027 ICC ODI World Cup is still some time away. At the same time, Kohli is not chasing a mirage, He will do whatever is needed to be fit. Last week, there was also a rumour, he will no longer play for RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) in the IPL. Whether you want to believe it or not, it’s your choice. But then, have we not been told, season after season, MS Dhoni is also quitting Chennai Super Kings!

Kohli turns 37 on November 5, that is his age as per official records. If you ask doctors who know about the body, fitness and his endurance levels, measured on Yo-Yo or Bronco scales, he can pass off as someone around 32 or 33. That is how Kohli has not just sculpted and ‘tatooed’ his body, but also shown an ethic to stay super fit.

If that be the case with Kohli, hear what Novak Djokovic has to say. Day in, day out, Nole is taunted, ‘getting old, retire.’ Well, he is not retiring, even if his body is struggling these days. After all, to be measured in the same breath as two fittest and furious players – Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz – Novak has not asked for a handicap. He continues to play, train, and enjoy himself, even if the dream run in China was snapped last week.

Most recently, Novak Djokovic lost to Jannik Sinner at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It may be an exhibition tournament, but Novak does not show up just for the money, he has loads of it and also does charity. And yet, he was asked in Riyadh how he copes with Sinner and Alcaraz.

“It’s always, worth it,” he said, the reference being to pain and how intense his training sessions are. He knows his body best, “The love for the game and the passion for tennis is there. Excuse my language but it’s never nice when someone kicks your ass like this on court. But it definitely is amazing that I’m still able to play at a high level. Being Top 5, Top 10 is a good feeling,” said Novak. The debate should end there.