'He might say bye if..': AB de Villiers hints at Virat Kohli's retirement from ODI cricket

A cricketer's life predominantly revolves around three Ds- Debut, Domination and Denounement. While many cricketers fail to progress to the second stage, there have been esteemed few who have completed the cycle and made it to legendary status. While Virat Kohli is set to take his spot in the latter category, the day when he will call it a career is dreaded by the Indian cricket fans. Though enthusiasts may not want to mull over the possibility of Kohli's retirement, his former RCB teammate and friend AB de Villiers recently decided to contemplate the subject.

3 things you need to know

• Virat Kohli made his debut in 2008

• Kohli was a part of the 2011 World Cup-winning side

• Kohli has made more than 13000 ODI runs in his career

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Virat Kohli would retire eventually

At 34, Virat Kohli is still at the top of his game. The right-hander recently registered a magnificent century against Pakistan in the Asian Games 2023 and has set a statement ahead of the start of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Kohli scoring a century is a sight that Indian cricket fans have witnessed over and over again in the last one-and-a-half decade and will want to keep watching it in the years to come. However, considering the complexities regarding the physicality factor a sportsperson's shelf time is limited and a day comes when he waves his goodbye to the sport. It came in the career of all the greats and the condition suggests even Virat Kohli will not remain untouched by it. As the fans will never get enough of Kohli, they would never want the day to arrive but according to De Villiers, it could come soon.

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AB de Villiers on when Virat Kohli should call it quits

With the World Cup on the horizon, Virat Kohli is set to play the role of main-stay for Team India and would enter as one of the contenders who could end up scoring the most runs in the tournament. The Men in Blue are one of the favorites to lift the trophy, and as per De Villiers if the most does arrive it would pose as an ideal one for Kohli to announce his exit from the 50-over format. 

"I know he loves traveling to South Africa (for the 2027 World Cup), but it's very difficult to say. It is a long time away. Let's focus on this one first, I think that's what Virat Kohli would tell you. I think if they win this World Cup, it might not be a bad time to say, 'Thank you very much. I am maybe just going to play Test cricket for the next few years and a little bit of IPL, enjoy the last bit of my career, have enough family time, and say goodbye to everyone'," De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.