Virat Kohli’s passion for cricket has been one of the defining features of his remarkable career, and an old conversation with former South Africa star AB de Villiers perfectly captures the Indian batter’s
love for the game.
In an excerpt from his autobiography, de Villiers recalled a brief conversation with Kohli during the Indian Premier League. The South African legend revealed that he once asked Kohli a simple question about how long he planned to continue playing cricket.
De Villiers wrote that he had arrived for breakfast one morning and sat beside Kohli, who was already at the table. The conversation then unexpectedly turned towards Kohli’s future in the sport.
“So I was wondering,” de Villiers asked, “how long do you think you’re going to keep playing cricket?”
According to de Villiers, Kohli immediately responded with a broad smile and said, “I’m going to play forever.”
The answer highlighted Kohli’s deep emotional connection with cricket. De Villiers, however, responded with a smile and acknowledged the reality that no player can continue forever.
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The exchange has gained renewed attention as Kohli’s career continues to evolve. Having spent nearly two decades at the highest level, the former India captain has established himself as one of the most influential cricketers of his generation.
Kohli has represented India across formats and has produced numerous memorable performances in Test cricket, ODIs and T20Is. His intensity, fitness standards and commitment to the game have also made him a role model for aspiring cricketers.
While retirement is eventually a reality for every professional sportsperson, Kohli’s response to de Villiers remains a memorable reflection of his mindset. For a player who has dedicated much of his life to cricket, the idea of walking away has clearly never been an easy one to imagine.
Recently, in an interview, Virat Kohli confirmed that the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 will be his last World Cup for India. However, that doesn’t mean it will be his last match for India. Fans would be hoping to see him playing as long as he could.
