Upon rejoining the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the upcoming IPL 2025 season, Virat Kohli addressed speculation surrounding his international cricket future, dispelling earlier reports that suggested a potential retirement decision following the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Contrary to those reports, the former Indian captain clarified his intentions, affirming that he has no immediate plans to retire. He stated that he would only consider stepping away from the national team when he feels he has helped to establish a foundation for sustained dominance for at least a decade.
With his fitness levels remaining unquestioned, there has been widespread support for Kohli to participate in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, provided he maintains his current form. However, as he prepares for the IPL 2025 season, Kohli stated that his primary motivation now stems from his genuine passion for the game.
Virat Kohli, entering the later stages of his illustrious career, has shifted his focus from chasing records to simply enjoying the sport. He now plays with just one purpose, which is to embrace the game he loves.
During an event held by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Bengaluru, Kohli shared his thoughts on this evolving phase of his career.
“I am not playing for the achievements any more. I am playing just for the joy of the game,” Kohli said.
Virat Kohli reveals why he reduced his social media activity
Kohli also revealed the main reason behind his social media inactivity. He clarified that social media does not play any big role in his personal life, addressing the public's curiosity about his limited engagement with cricket-related content online. Despite his immense popularity, boasting over 270 million Instagram followers and 66.1 million X (formerly Twitter) fans, his social media presence is primarily dedicated to brand promotions rather than celebrating his cricketing achievements.
ALSO READ: Big setback for Team India, key staff member set to resign following Champions Trophy title glory
Following India's victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Kohli's social media accounts featured a series of paid promotions, including posts for HSBC, a snack brand, and an energy drink, all within a three-day span. Notably, he did not post anything directly celebrating the team's championship win, leading to widespread disappointment and frustration among his fans who expected a more personal acknowledgment of the national triumph.
Kohli, who was once known for his active and engaging presence on social media, has now adopted a more detached approach, expressing indifference to fans' online reactions. The Indian cricket icon has come to believe that technology lacking a clear purpose can be a significant distraction, and he has chosen to distance himself from what he considers unnecessary online noise.
“I don't post on social media much because technology without a goal is destructive. Posting on social media doesn't make anything different in my life. People's comments don't have any reaction on me, so I don't have to post,” he concluded.
After playing an instrumental role in India's Champions Trophy 2025 title triumph, Kohli will now shift his focus to the upcoming IPL 2025 season where he will be yet again seen donning the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) jersey. RCB are set to begin their campaign against the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), at Eden Gardens on March 22.