Former Indian captain Virat Kohli has hinted at a potential return to T20I cricket, stating that he might rethink his retirement if India qualifies for the final of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Kohli stepped away from the shortest format after leading India to victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies last year.
While his comment was made in a light-hearted manner, it has sparked curiosity about his future plans as he prepares for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Speaking at the RCB Innovation Summit on Saturday, Kohli expressed his thoughts on the prospect of playing in the Olympics. “So many T20 leagues are played all over the world, and I think that IPL has definitely played a massive role in that as well. It has brought cricket to a stage where it is part of the Olympics. It’s a great opportunity for some of our guys,”
“No. For the Olympics? Maybe, if we are playing for the gold medal, I may come back for one game (laughs). Get a medal and come back home. It is a great thing. To be an Olympic champion would be a magnificent feeling, the first of its kind.” he said.
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Virat Kohli further spoke on his post-retirement plans saying, “I actually don’t know what I will be doing post-retirement. Recently, I asked a teammate the same question and got the same reply. Yeah, but there may be a lot of traveling.”
Virat Kohli’s Fitness and Recent Performances
At 36, Kohli continues to showcase exceptional fitness, as evident in his performances at the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. He delivered crucial innings, scoring a century against Pakistan and a half-century against Australia.
Kohli’s fitness transformation began in the 2012-13 period, a journey he reflected on during his appearance on Breakfast with Champions in 2018. The Indian batting stalwart will soon return to competitive cricket as RCB kicks off its IPL 2025 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
