Virat Kohli took Indian Test cricket to remarkable new heights, showcasing unmatched dedication and skill throughout his career before announcing his retirement on May 12. At the age of 36, Kohli has left an unforgettable legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
His passion for the game was infectious, and his intensity never wavered. However, it is likely that this same drive ultimately led to his mental burnout. Recalling the thoughts of former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman, ex-player Aakash Chopra highlighted that Kohli’s decision to retire was influenced by the mental fatigue he experienced after years of relentless focus and effort.
“He played Test cricket with the same energy as a T20 match. He ran a marathon at a sprinting pace and just kept going, which is truly remarkable. As a batter, you can focus on the field, but he would sprint across the ground, celebrate every wicket, lift someone, or even make someone fall,” Chopra stated.
“If not, he was engaging with the crowd, getting them fired up. This is mad intensity. We may never see such intensity again, nor did we ever see it before him. I remember VVS Laxman mentioning that while Virat has many strengths, he fears that his intensity could eventually cause burnout. So, perhaps it was mental exhaustion, a point where he couldn’t sustain this level for five days anymore,” he added.
“There will never be another Virat Kohli. He was a master across all three formats. When do you find players who excel in all formats now? If you look at the Fab Four, none of them consistently performs well in all three formats. And when you look at the new generation, you see players who are great in one format but struggle in others,” he concluded.