Former Team India wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has shared his views on Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket ahead of Asia Cup 2025. Karthik said that Kohli is physically prepared, his mindset can change, and it is important to respect his decision.
Delhi -born batsman announced his retirement from Test cricket in May. He decided just a month before the five -match testing series in England. The right-handed batsman ended his red-ball career after 123 matches, scoring an average of 9,230 runs at 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
I just want Virat Kohli to be happy – Dinesh Karthik
Speaking at the South Conclave in India today, Dinesh Karthik was asked whether Virat Kohli should reverse his test retirement. Karthik said that fans like to see Kohli playing, but the happiness of the former captain is important.
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“I think we all enjoy watching Virat Kohli playing. There is no doubt. I want him to be happy. I have met him for some time in the UK, and he looks at a very happy place, and if he is going to give him happiness, it is,” Kartik said.
“I think it is important that we need to respect and respect what his mind is doing. I think his body can still be ready, and it is ready. I can tell you. But I don’t think his mind is clearly where it was a few years ago.”
“So, when he is able to understand and see that his body and his mind is asking him to do it, most of the time, I think we need to respect it,” he said.
I used to think Virat Kohli is going to score runs – Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik said that he would like to see Virat Kohli playing, but he must have felt mentally tired. Karthik said that Kohli gave his best in almost every innings.
“Would I like to play Virat Kohli? Why not? I mean, I really still, when I switched to TV to watch in Australia, every innings I thought he was going to get runs.”
“There was some innings where I thought, okay, maybe he is not batting and you would like.”
“But most of the innings I thought, oh, okay. But when he gets out, you like it, it’s okay, so, so, I think he pushed himself to a point where he gave it everything. And perhaps he felt mentally that he was tired. He needed a break,” Kartik continued.
Kohli last played competitive cricket in IPL 2025. He played an important role in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) title-winning campaign. The batsman ended the tournament as RCB’s top run-scorer. He scored 657 runs in 15 innings, with eight half -centuries.
Dinesh Karthik last played in an international match in 2022
Dinesh Karthik played international cricket for India in all three formats and last represented the team in the 2022 T20 World Cup. The wicketkeeper-batsman depicted 26 tests, 94 Odis and 60 T20I.
Karthik contributed to limited overs cricket as a middle-order batsman and played a test opener during India’s historic victory in England in 2007.
Tamil Nadu -born cricketers were part of India’s winning squads in the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. One of his standout performances appeared in the 2018 Nidahas Trophy final, where his explosive 29 not out of just 8 balls played an important role in winning against Bangladesh.
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