‘Reasonable for him to be tired’: AB de Villiers on Virat Kohli's international future

Virat Kohli has opted to rest from T20Is and ODIs against South Africa and it could potentially signify a big shift in his career trajectory. Kohli is 35 right now and is a two-time ICC trophy winner and India’s most successful Test captain.

Though he could undoubtedly continue playing, the duration of his stint remains a perplexing question. His next target could be to give one final crack at the World Cup in 2027, but he will be 39 when that tournament comes around. However, he is still fit, and considering his dedication to the game, he could extend his career for another four years.

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Speaking about this issue, former South Africa captain AB de Villiers said that he expects Kohli to be picky as far as his participation in the different formats is concerned going forward.

Expressing his perspective, De Villiers expressed optimism about Kohli’s continued participation in ODIs and Tests. De Villiers, who shared the Royal Challengers Bangalore dressing room with Kohli for a long time, said that he wished to continue seeing the former India captain continue playing ODIs and Tests.

Read: What Rohit and Kohli’s absence from T20I side means for India

“It’s very reasonable and normal for him to be tired, to feel like it’s time for him to unfold that final chapter in a way. I don’t exactly know how long he will play for but I would like it to be for as long as possible,” de Villiers said in a conversation with Hindustan Times.

De Villiers also said that the upcoming South Africa series will be a key one for Kohli as he starts to manage his workload.

“The South Africa series is important to him, and he might play a few, rest and sit out a few and find a way to manage himself leading up to the end of his career. He’s a fantastic player and long may that continue. Hopefully, that career has got a few more years in it,” he further added.