Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has shut down speculation about his retirement following India’s four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday. Kohli, who secured his fourth ICC title as a player, made it clear that while the team is in good hands with the younger generation stepping up, he did not hint at stepping away from the game anytime soon.
Speaking after the victory, Kohli emphasized the importance of mentoring the next generation of Indian cricketers and ensuring the team remains in a strong position.
“I try to speak to these guys (youngsters), try to share my experience, tell them how I’ve played for so long. When you leave, you want to leave in a better position. So many impactful knocks [Shubman] Gill, Shreyas [Iyer], [KL] Rahul, have played. The team is in good hands,” Kohli said.
His remarks sparked speculation about his future, but he stopped short of making any retirement announcement. At 36, Kohli remains a key figure in India’s batting lineup, continuing to deliver match-winning performances under pressure.
Kohli also highlighted the team’s motivation following their disappointing loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia earlier in the year. The Indian squad was determined to bounce back and prove their strength on the global stage.
“… We wanted to bounce back after a tough Australia tour. Lovely playing with a bunch of amazing youngsters. They’re stepping up and taking India in the right direction. After playing for so long, you look forward to playing under pressure. To win titles, the whole team has to step up in different games. People have played such impactful knocks and had spells, that collective effort is what has done it for us,” he added.
Kohli also took a moment to praise the New Zealand team, acknowledging their consistent competitiveness despite having a smaller talent pool. He credited their disciplined approach and strong fielding unit, while also expressing sympathy for his close friend, Kane Williamson, who ended up on the losing side.
“We’ve always been in awe with what they [New Zealand] can do, the limited number of players in the talent pool, but they just execute plans so well. They keep playing the kind of cricket that keeps them very much in the game. They’ve always been attacking and supportive of the bowlers. Credit to them, easily the best fielding unit. Sad to see a very good friend of mine [Kane Williamson] on the losing side, but they keep doing the basics well. That’s what makes them such a competitive unit,” Kohli said.
While Kohli retired from T20 internationals after India’s ICC T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, he remains a vital part of the ODI and Test teams. His recent comments indicate that while he is preparing for the eventual transition of leadership, he is not ready to walk away just yet.
For now, Kohli and Team India can celebrate yet another ICC trophy, reinforcing their dominance in world cricket.
