Whether he will also call it a time on his illustrious ODI career is a million-dollar question. But Virat Kohli is happy that the next-gen stars are ready so that when the time comes, he can pass the baton as India lift the ICC Champions Trophy title for third time. He is impressed with how Shubman Gill has stepped up. While he did not call it quits at the post-match celebration as he did after the T20 World Cup 2024, his emotional hug with his wife Anushka Sharma said a lot.
The next mega ODI event is in 2027 and he is 36. There is no guarantee that he will be around in 2027. Hence, he has very well played his last ICC event as speculations around his future continue.
“It’s been amazing, we wanted to bounce back after a tough Australian tour. We wanted to win a big tournament, so to win the Champions Trophy is amazing. So much talent in the dressing room, they’re trying to take their game further and we’re just happy to be of help, sharing our experience and that’s what makes this Indian team so strong,” Virat Kohli said after India lifted the Champions Trophy title.
Will Virat Kohli call it quits?
All the talks have been around Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. The two have been struggling while Kohli continues to better or shatter records. But if the time comes, he is happy that the next-gen is ready. While Shubman-Shreyas-KL have been excellent in ODIs, Yashasvi Jaiswal is also ready to take the next leap.
“When you leave, you want to leave the team in a better place, I feel we have a squad that’s ready to take on the world for the next 8 years. Shubman has been outstanding, Shreyas has played some top knocks, KL has finished games and Hardik has been superb with the bat,” Kohli added.
Another ICC title
No matter what, the legacy Virat Kohli leaves will be a grand one. He joins the elite list of players to win multiple ICC titles. The Champions Trophy 2025 was his fifth ICC tile. His journey began in 2008 when he led India to the U19 World Cup title. Now, in 2025, he once again played a key role in India’s ICC title.
“These are the things you want to play, playing under pressure and putting your hand up. The whole team, everyone has put their hands up sometimes or other, everyone has put up impactful performances, we’ve been part of an amazing team, the amount of work we’ve done in the practice sessions, it feels great to win,” Kohli said.
Virat Kohli’s ICC titles
- ICC U19 Cricket World Cup (2008) – Kohli captained the Indian team to victory in Malaysia, defeating South Africa in the final.
- ICC Cricket World Cup (2011) – As a member of the Indian team, Kohli contributed to India’s triumph in the ODI World Cup held in India.
- ICC Champions Trophy (2013) – Kohli was part of the Indian squad that won the tournament in England, defeating the hosts in the final.
- ICC T20 World Cup (2024) – Kohli played a pivotal role, earning Player of the Match in the final against South Africa, helping India secure their second T20 World Cup title in Barbados.
- ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Kohli played a crucial role as India beat New Zealand in the final to lift the Champions trophy after 12 years.
