Virat Kohli reveals the 'only' reason behind his T20I retirement

The form of Virat Kohli in the ongoing IPL 2025 has reignited discussions about his retirement from international T20 cricket. Several experts and pundits believe that he may have stepped away from the format earlier than necessary. However, in a recent interaction, the modern-day legend clarified that his decision to retire from T20Is wasn’t based on form. Kohli emphasised that nothing has changed in his approach to the format, but his retirement from the Indian T20I team was motivated by the emergence of a new generation of players.

Virat Kohli opens up about his decision to retire from T20Is following the historic victory at the 2024 T20 World Cup

Virat Kohli reflected on his decision to retire from T20 international cricket after India’s historic T20 World Cup campaign in 2024, saying it was time for the next generation to step up. The seasoned batter bowed out of the shortest format on a high as India won the 2024 T20 World Cup. The team ended their long-standing ICC title drought by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final in Barbados. Virat Kohli, meanwhile,  delivered a match-defining knock of 76 off 59 balls in the final, anchoring India’s innings and earning the Player of the Match award.

The team, led by Rohit Sharma eventually sealed the win by a margin of seven runs to lift the trophy. Following the triumph, Kohli confirmed during the post-match presentation that it would be his last T20I for India. Shortly after, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja also announced their retirements from the format. Over the course of his T20I career, Kohli featured in 125 matches and amassed 4,188 runs at an impressive average of 48.69. He was named Player of the Tournament in two ICC T20 World Cups in 2014 and 2016.

Despite stepping away from T20Is, Kohli has been in sensational form in IPL 2025, lighting up the season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The 36-year-old has notched up 443 runs in ten games and remains a strong contender for the Orange Cap. Clearly lacking nothing in the format, there have been ongoing discussions about whether Kohli rushed his retirement from international T20s.

However, the former Indian skipper is content with his decision. Contrary to popular belief, Kohli’s decision to step away was not driven by form. The star batter clarified that he wanted to make room for the emerging crop of players. With the 2026 T20 World Cup in mind, Kohli explained that two years would provide ample time for the next generation to settle into rhythm.

“I do not think things have changed for me in any way. The decision to leave T20Is was taken purely understanding that there is a new set of players who are more than ready and they need time," Kohli said. “They need a two-year cycle to evolve, handle pressure, play in different parts of the world, and play enough games to the point where when the World Cup comes, they feel like they are ready,” he added.