AB de Villiers lauds Virat Kohli, says he did get a couple of hints regarding his retirement

Virat Kohli’s former Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate AB de Villiers has opened up on the latter’s retirement decision. Kohli took his Test retirement on Monday, announcing the news on his Instagram handle.

The former South African recalled how he felt when he moved towards the fag end of his career and believes Kohli must have felt the same. The Indian superstar could only manage 190 runs in five Test matches at an average of 23.75 on the Australian tour. Kohli had struggled against the outside off-stump deliveries and was dismissed caught behind on eight occasions in nine innings.

Kohli amassed 9230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries.

AB told ESPN Cricinfo, “Ultimately, having been through something similar during my playing days, when I got to the end and I felt like it’s time to move on, I almost did not want too many voices in my head and ears. I wanted to listen to my heart and I think that’s what he did well. He really had some quiet time and he feels at peace and ease with his decision and that’s most important. But I did get a couple of hints over the last six to 12 months that we are not far away.”

He added, “We had some good discussions about where he is at in his career over the last six to 12 months. I didn’t think he would get to a stage where he would call it quits. But I did get a feeling that we are not far away. There is so much to think about at the level he was playing, so much pressure, carrying the weight of the nation, so there is a lot that goes into it.”

De Villiers, who shares a great bonhomie with Virat Kohli after playing with him in the IPL, said we all are emotional and wanted Kohli to keep playing forever.

“We are all emotional and wanted to see him play forever as fans. I was a teammate of his for a few years and also played as an opponent on the field and you always get used to him being around but all good things come to an end. He’s had a wonderful career with so much to celebrate. He is still going to play cricket but he will have a lot more time in his hands, perhaps for the family, which is a blessing,” said De Villiers.

Kohli led India in 68 Test matches, winning 40, drawing 11 and losing 17, and thus he is regarded as one of India’s most successful Test captains.