Virender Sehwag calls Virat Kohli's retirement 'too early', makes staggering claim: 'Even at 36, he'll leave...'

Virender Sehwag calls Virat Kohli's retirement 'too early' (BCCI Photo)

The IPL 2025 has restarted but Virat Kohli's Test retirement continues to dominate the discussions among the ex-cricketers. Kohli announced his retirement from the format on Monday, days after Rohit Sharma announced the same. Their exits have left a massive void in India's batting line-up right when they are about to start a brand new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. India and England will engage in a five-match series, starting from June 20 at Headingley.

Virender Sehwag addressed Kohli's retirement while speaking on Cricbuzz and expressed that the modern-day great "retired too early". Sehwag also mentioned that Kohli could have played for another two years before making a staggering claim about his fitness.

“He will leave 90 percent of players behind in fitness even at 36. Because of that I would say he retired too early in Tests, he could have played 2 more years comfortably,” stated Sehwag.

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Sehwag during the interaction also hailed Kohli's discipline, explaining how it "sets him apart" from others. “His hunger for runs is what makes him different, sets him apart. He follows his routine, his hard work, whether or not he’s making runs," explained Sehwag.

While Kohli has announced his retirement from Tests and T20Is, which he did last year, the talismanic batter will continue his services in ODIs, a format which he has dominated. And considering his fitness, also mentioned by Sehwag, chances of him being part of the Indian set-up for the ODI World Cup 2027 cannot be entirely ruled out.

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For now, Kohli is busy with his engagements in the Indian Premier League as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) target for maiden glory in the cash-rich tournament. RCB are currently leading the IPL 2025 charts with eight wins from 12 matches. The team have so far endured three defeats, while the tie against Kolkata Knight Riders was a washout.

A lot of credit behind RCB's success goes to Kohli, who has amassed 505 from 11 encounters at an impressive average of 63.13. He has seven half-centuries, the most by any player this season.