Indian batter Virat Kohli reflected on his team’s 3-1 Test series defeat in Australia, admitting that he may not have another tour of Australia left in him. However, the 36-year-old ruled out retiring anytime soon, as he still enjoys playing the game too much.
Kohli, who ended a long run of poor form with an unbeaten century in the series-opening Test in Perth last November, struggled throughout the series, often chasing balls moving away from his stumps. He finished with a total of 190 runs at an average of 23.75.
Speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit on Saturday, Kohli compared the slump to his disappointing run in England in 2014, where he managed just 134 runs.
“If you ask me the intensity of how disappointed I’ve been, the recent Australia tour would be the one that’s most fresh. So it might feel the most intense,” Kohli said.
“For a long time, the tour of England in 2014 bothered me the most. But I can’t look at it that way. I might not have an Australia tour again in four years. I don’t know. You have to make peace with whatever’s happened in your life.”
Kohli retired from Twenty20 internationals after India’s World Cup win last year but continues to play in the Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
He remains a key member of India’s Test team and played an important role in their 50-over Champions Trophy triumph last week.
“Me playing the game is not for achievements,” Kohli added. “It pretty much comes down to the pure joy and enjoyment and love for the game. As long as that love is intact, I’ll continue to play the game. I have to be honest about that with myself.”
“Don’t get nervous, I’m not making any announcements, as of now everything’s fine,” he concluded.
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