Virat Kohli's T20I retirement a wrong decision? Zaheer Khan and Michael Vaughan share views

The Indian cricket team’s batting mainstay, Virat Kohli, has recently announced his retirement from T20I cricket after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Kohli will no longer be seen in the shortest format of the game, with the move leaving many surprised.

The dashing right-hander announced his decision moments after Team India’s T20 World Cup 2024 win in Barbados. They clinched their first ICC title after more than a decade by thrashing South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Reacting to Kohli’s retirement from T20Is, former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan said that it was the perfect time to finish his career on a high note while highlighting the progress of Indian cricket.

Zaheer Khan hails Virat Kohli for taking Indian cricket to new heights

With a plethora of emerging talents ready to step up, it was only a matter of time before seasoned players like Kohli decided to step aside, as they also had to see where the team was headed. Apart from Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja also announced their retirement from T20I cricket after winning the T20 World Cup in 2024.

The former World Cup-winning pacer said that there couldn’t be a better time for Kohli to finish his illustrious T20I career than this historic moment, and the players would always pick such special occasions to announce big decisions. Zaheer also mentioned that Kohli has been instrumental in elevating Indian cricket, both as a leader and as a player, taking the national team to new heights.

He believes that Kohli's retirement from T20Is will allow him to focus on the other two formats, ODI and Test cricket, where he can still make significant contributions to the Indian team. The former Indian pacer also noted that this strategic move prioritizes his energy and efforts on the other formats.

Zaheer Khan lauds Virat Kohli's timing to retire from T20Is

Zaheer Khan said on Cricbuzz Live: “I think you look at the T20 format, and you know, you're always looking at what's happening in Indian cricket. You know, you have a lot of players who've been ready. You know, you can just see that it's about that time.

And as individuals in the team being part of it, obviously, you know, you played a huge role in taking Indian cricket forward, taking it to the heights. And I think Virat has been in that category, you know, for being a leader, captaining the side, and doing everything. So, you want to actually pick that moment for yourself, you know?”

Zaheer added, “So, this format, obviously, you know, he's got plenty of work left with regard to the other formats, which he will, I'm sure, continue. But you've got to prioritize; you've got to focus on things. And you've also got to think about where the team is headed. And this is the highest point, isn't it? You've won the World Cup trophy.”

He's got impeccable timing: Michael Vaughan on Virat Kohli's retirement from T20Is

Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan also praised Kohli's timing of his retirement. According to Vaughan, ending his T20I career on a high note after scoring crucial runs in the T20 World Cup 2024 final and leading India to victory is the perfect farewell.

Vaughan said in the same discussion on Cricbuzz Live: “Virat's got impeccable timing. And I think it's the perfect way to go out. I mean, he's just got a good 50 in a World Cup final. He was the backbone of the inning to get them to that decent score. His team has won the World Cup. So, you can't leave in better circumstances.”