'The way he has maintained his fitness...': Ex-CSK star Suresh Raina questions Virat Kohli's decision to retire from T20Is

Former India cricketer Suresh Raina questioned Virat Kohli's decision to retire from T20 internationals after his 70-run knock for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Raina believes that Kohli has announced his T20 retirement too early, and he could have played until the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be played in the subcontinent.

Raina also stated that Kohli had plenty left in the tank and could have continued contributing at the highest level. Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is on a high note after guiding India to a title win at the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados, defeating South Africa in the final.

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"I still think that Virat Kohli retired early from T20I cricket. He could have played until 2026, based on the rhythm with which he is playing right now, and the rhythm during the 2025 Champions Trophy as well. The way he has maintained his fitness, he looks like he is at his peak still," Raina said on Star Sports.

The 36-year-old batter played a crucial role in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. He played 125 T20Is and scored 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69, including one century and 38 fifties.

Despite announcing his retirement, Kohli is currently the highest run-getter in T20 World Cup history with 1,292 runs. He also holds the record for most runs in a single edition of the tournament (319 in 2014) and most 50-plus scores (15). In his career, Kohli featured in six T20 World Cups.

Kohli's last international assignment was the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he scored 218 runs in five outings, including an unbeaten century against Pakistan. He was the fifth-highest run-getter in the tournament, where unbeaten India defeated New Zealand in the final to win the title.