Virat Kohli 'Might Just Retire' From T20 After World Cup, Shoaib Akhtar Predicts

Virat Kohli is expected to be in action again for team India in the T20 World Cup in Australia, which starts next month, with mounted expectations now that he is back to his old form.

Virat Kohli of India celebrates after reaching his century during the Asia Cup 2022 match between India and Afghanistan

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During the Asia Cup 2022, Virat Kohli became the first Indian and the only second player in the world after Ross Taylor to play over 100 matches in all three international formats. Kohli has played 104 T20I games amassing 3584 runs at a batting average of 51.94.

In the recently finished Asia Cup, Kohli returned to form and even broke his century drought that had lasted for nearly three years.

The Delhi batsman is expected to be in action again for team India in the T20 World Cup, which starts next month in Australia, with renewed expectations now that he is back to his old form.

Former Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar has made the bold prediction that Kohli will retire from the shortest format after the important tournament in Australia and instead focus on playing Tests and ODIs games.

"Kohli might just take retirement after the T20 World Cup. He may do that to extend his longevity in the other formats," Shoaib Akhtar told India.com in a Live session.

"If I was him, I would have looked at the larger picture and take a call," Rawalpindi Express stated.

Since the cricket schedule is growing busier by the day, several players have either chosen to lower their workloads, like Trent Boult or have retired from a particular format, like Ben Stokes and Aaron Finch.

Earlier former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi also spoke on the possibility of Virat Kohli retiring in the future from any one format of cricket after ICC Men's World Cup.  They expect the star hitter to go on a high note and praised Kohli for a successful career.

The 33-year-old cricketer had a revived appearance and scored the second most runs throughout the Asia Cup with 276 from five games just five runs behind Mohammad Rizwan.

The highlight of the Asia cup was when Virat smashed 122 runs all by himself against Afghanistan, which was also his first T20I century after three long years of gap.