In July 2022, former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Syed Kirmani made headlines with his bold suggestion that Virat Kohli, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers, should be dropped from the national team to regain his form. At the time, Kohli was enduring a rough patch, with his last international century coming in 2019. Kirmani felt that the selectors should have a tough conversation with Kohli, urging him to return to domestic cricket to rebuild his confidence.
Kohli, 35, had stepped down from captaincy across all formats to focus solely on his batting. Despite being a pivotal figure in the Indian lineup, Kohli was struggling to deliver consistent performances between 2020 and 2022, which sparked debates about his place in the squad. Kirmani, known for his straightforward remarks, believed that Kohli’s stature in the game should not shield him from the same standards applied to other players. In an interview with India Today, he remarked:
“There is so much competition in this era. If you are not performing in a few innings, irrespective of how experienced you might be, the selection committee takes a call. They ask players to return to domestic cricket, come back in form, and then we’ll see if you can fit into the team. Don’t see why that can’t apply to Virat Kohli.”
Kirmani’s statement came at a time when many were questioning Kohli’s prolonged dip in form, especially in a competitive cricketing landscape. However, despite the mounting pressure, Kohli bounced back later that year in the Asia Cup 2022. In a remarkable return to form, he ended a three-year century drought by smashing 122* off 61 balls against Afghanistan, marking his maiden T20I century. His innings helped India secure a 101-run victory, silencing his critics and reigniting his career.
Kohli’s Triumphant Exit from T20I Cricket
Fast forward to 2024, Kohli’s legacy in T20I cricket came to a fitting end. After India’s title-winning campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup, the star batter announced his retirement from the shortest format. Although he faced criticism for his performances in the group stages and semi-final, Kohli delivered when it mattered most. In the final against South Africa, he played a crucial knock of 76 off 59 balls, guiding India to a competitive total of 176. India won the final by seven runs, cementing their victory and allowing Kohli to sign off on a high note.
Kohli’s retirement also marked the end of an era alongside Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, who also bid farewell to T20I cricket after the World Cup. Kohli and Sharma finished as the top run-scorers in T20I history, with 4188 and 4231 runs, respectively, underscoring their dominance in the format over the years.
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Virat Kohli’s resilience and ability to silence critics have been hallmarks of his illustrious career. While Kirmani’s suggestion stirred debate in 2022, Kohli’s eventual resurgence and his stellar contributions in 2024 ensured that he retired from T20I cricket as one of the format’s greatest players.
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