South African fast bowling legend Allan Donald has expressed his surprise at Virat Kohli's decision to retire from Test cricket, suggesting the modern batting great stepped away from the longest format earlier than expected. However, Donald, who is currently the pace bowling coach of the Bangladesh national team, revealed that Kohli possesses a burning desire to continue playing white-ball cricket and is targeting a remarkable appearance in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Donald's Take on Kohli's Test Retirement Timing
In an exclusive conversation, the former speedster known as 'White Lightning' shared his candid thoughts on Kohli's exit from the Test arena. Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket in January 2024, following India's 2-1 series victory against South Africa. Donald acknowledged Kohli's monumental contributions to the format but admitted the timing took him aback.
"I thought he retired a bit early from Test cricket," Donald stated, reflecting on the career of a player who amassed over 8,000 runs in 113 Tests. He emphasized that despite this early exit, Kohli's passion for the game, particularly the limited-overs formats, remains undiminished. This insight points to a strategic shift in focus for the champion batter as he enters the latter stages of his illustrious career.
The 2027 World Cup Dream and Kohli's Relentless Hunger
The most compelling revelation from Donald's interview centres on Kohli's long-term ambition. According to Donald, Kohli has the hunger and drive to continue playing international cricket until the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. If he achieves this goal, Kohli would be 38 years old at the time of that tournament, marking an extraordinary span at the top level.
This ambition underscores Kohli's legendary fitness and mental fortitude. Donald highlighted that the drive to compete and win for India still fuels Kohli, suggesting that fans can expect to see his brilliance in ODIs and T20Is for several more years. The focus will now be squarely on maintaining peak physical condition and form to realise this ambitious target.
Transition Phase and the Future of Indian Bowling
Beyond Kohli's personal journey, Donald also commented on the broader transition within the Indian cricket team. He noted that the side is currently navigating a period of change, moving on from the era of iconic players. Specifically, he praised the current generation of Indian fast bowlers, identifying them as a key strength for the team's future in all formats.
"The Indian team is in a transition phase... but one thing that stands out for me is the Indian fast-bowling attack," Donald remarked. He expressed confidence in the pace battery's ability to lead India's charge in the coming years, a testament to the depth and talent cultivated in the country's cricketing system.
Allan Donald's comments paint a picture of Virat Kohli as a player who has consciously chosen to streamline his international commitments. While the red-ball chapter has closed, a determined and hungry Kohli aims to script a grand finale in white-ball cricket, with the 2027 World Cup looming as a powerful motivator. His journey will be a fascinating subplot in the evolving story of Indian cricket.
