Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
On Thursday, April 24, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) registered their first win at home in Bengaluru in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, beating Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 11 runs. Virat Kohli, who went onto register another fifty-plus score in the IPL, rose to the second place in the table of most runs in ongoing season.
Seeing Kohli’s consistency in T20 cricket, former India cricketer Suresh Raina recently opened up the star batter’s continuous performance in the shortest format. The former Indian batter believes that Kohli could have played until 2026 T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be played in India.
Virat Kohli retired early from T20I cricket: Suresh Raina drops BIG statement
Speaking to the broadcasters, Raina added that Kohli took retirement from T20Is early. He feels that the 36-year-old could have played the next World Cup as well, which is set to be played in India. "I still think that Virat Kohli retired early from T20I cricket. He could have played until 2026, based on the rhythm with which he is playing right now, and the rhythm during the 2025 Champions Trophy as well. The way he has maintained his fitness, he looks like he is at his peak still," Raina said on Star Sports.
On Thursday, April 24, Virat Kohli played a vintage knock of 70 off 42 balls against Rajasthan Royals at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With this, he rose to the second position in the tally of top run-scorers, having amassed 392 runs from nine innings at an average of 65.33 and a strike rate of 144.11. In the nine matches, Kohli has registered five fifty-plus scores, with his highest score of 73* coming against Punjab Kings (PBKS).
