Virat Kohli reveals his post-retirement plans, says, 'Once I am done with cricket, you won't see me for a while'

At present, Kohli tops the list of leading run-scorers in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer and former captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has recently opened up about his post-retirement plans. In an interview, Kohli revealed that after retiring from cricket, he intends to take a long break before deciding his next step.

Over the past decade, Virat Kohli has made a significant impact on the cricketing world and the entire sporting community. His influence has been so profound that it contributed to cricket being included in the Olympic program for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

Kohli's insatiable hunger for runs has been a defining feature of his career, leading fans and experts alike to wonder what drives his relentless pursuit of excellence. During the RCB's Royal Gala Dinner in Bengaluru on May 18, just before their crucial IPL match against CSK, Kohli addressed this curiosity. "It's quite simple," said the 35-year-old Kohli. "I think as a sportsman, we do have an end-date to our careers. So I am just working backwards. I don't want to finish my career thinking 'oh, what if I have done this on that particular day' because I can't keep going on and on forever. So it's just about not leaving any undone business behind and not have any regrets later, which I am sure I won't."

Kohli also mentioned that once he is done with cricket, he would be taking a long break and would not be seen for a while. He added, "Once I am done, I will be gone, you won't see me for a while (smiles). So I want to give it everything I have till the time I play, and that's the only thing that keeps me going."

Currently, Kohli is leading the chart of top run-scorers in the ongoing IPL 2024. He has amassed 661 runs in 13 innings with a strike rate of 155.16 and an impressive average of 66.10. His performance includes five fifties and one century. Despite RCB's current position at fifth on the IPL table with 12 points from 13 matches, they face a critical match against the third-ranked CSK, who have 14 points from 13 matches. To stay in contention for the playoffs, RCB must secure a decisive victory to surpass CSK's net run rate (NRR). CSK's NRR stands at +0.528, while RCB's is +0.387.

After the IPL, Kohli is set to feature in the ICC T20 World Cup, aiming to help India end their ICC trophy drought. Initially, there were doubts about Kohli's selection for the squad, as reports suggested that selectors were unhappy with his approach to the T20 game. However, Kohli once again proved his worth, silencing his critics with sensational power-hitting and a high strike rate in IPL 2024.

Virat Kohli's journey in cricket has been nothing short of extraordinary. As he prepares for life after cricket, his determination to leave no regrets behind and to give his best until the very end stands as a testament to his character and dedication to the sport.