Former Team India wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has shared his thoughts on Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. Karthik stated that while Kohli remains physically ready, his mindset may have changed, and added that it is important to respect his decision.
The Delhi-born batter announced his retirement from Test cricket in May. He made the decision just a month before the five-match Test series in England. The right-handed batter ended his red-ball career after 123 matches, amassing 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
I Just Want Virat Kohli To Be Happy – Dinesh Karthik
Speaking at the India Today South Conclave, Dinesh Karthik was asked about whether Virat Kohli should reverse his Test retirement. Karthik said that fans love watching Kohli play, but the former captain’s happiness is important.
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“I think all of us enjoy watching Virat Kohli play. There’s no doubt about it. I just want him to be happy. I’ve met him a few times in the UK, and he seems to be in a very happy place, and if that is what is going to give him happiness, so be it,” Karthik said.
“I think it’s important that we need to respect and honor what his mind is doing. I think his body could still be ready, and it is ready. I can tell you that. But I don’t think his mind is obviously where it was a few years ago.”
“So, when he is able to understand and see that that is what his body and his mind are telling him to do, for most of the time, I think we need to respect that,” he added.
I Used To Think Virat Kohli Is Going To Get Runs – Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik said that he would love to see Virat Kohli play, but he may have felt mentally exhausted. Karthik stated that Kohli consistently gave his best in almost every inning.
“Would I like Virat Kohli to play? Why not? I mean, I genuinely still, when I switched on the TV to watch in Australia, every innings I used to think he’s going to get runs.”
“There were a couple of innings where I thought, okay, maybe he’s not batting as well as you would like.”
“But most of the innings I thought, oh, okay. But when he gets out, you’re like, okay, so be it. So, I think he pushed himself to a point where he gave it everything. And maybe he felt mentally that he was tired. He needed a break,” Karthik continued.
Kohli last played competitive cricket in the IPL 2025. He played a key role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) title-winning campaign. The batter ended the tournament as RCB’s top run-scorer. He scored 657 runs in 15 innings, with eight half-centuries.
Dinesh Karthik Last Played In an International Match in 2022
Dinesh Karthik played international cricket for India across all three formats and last represented the team in the 2022 T20 World Cup. The wicketkeeper-batsman featured in 26 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 60 T20Is.
Karthik contributed as a middle-order batsman in limited-overs cricket and also took on the role of a Test opener during India’s historic triumph in England in 2007.
The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer was part of India’s victorious squads in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. One of his standout performances came in the 2018 Nidahas Trophy final, where his explosive 29 not out off just 8 balls played a pivotal role in securing a win against Bangladesh.
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