Virender Sehwag recalls the earliest instance of spotting Virat Kohli’s talent after latter’s Test retirement

Former Indian Test opener Virender Sehwag recalled how Virat Kohli impressed him while rising through the ranks. Sehwag said Kohli played a backfoot punch down the ground, which beat long-off and long-on for a boundary while playing for Delhi.

Sehwag said it was that shot which caught his eye as Kohli impressed with his timing. Kohli recently retired from Test cricket, bringing down the curtains on a glorious 14-year-old career. Kohli amassed 9230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. 

“He is a Delhi boy. When I first saw him for the first time at the Feroz Shah Kotla, he hit a backfoot punch and it beat both long-on and long-off for four. You can see the ability of the player then,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

“Many players came and went, but such a powerful shot off the backfoot that both players can’t stop the ball it showed that you had the talent and potential to go forward and play. It was my reaction, I said Wow.”

On the other hand, Sehwag said Virat Kohli could have played Test cricket for another two years as he is fit as a fiddle. In the last 69 Test innings since 2020, Kohli has managed only 2028 runs at an average of 30.72, including just three centuries and his below-par numbers must have played a role in his retirement decision.

“He is 36 years old and you can compare his fitness with players from other teams or the Indian team, even today he could leave many players behind. He could leave 90 per cent players behind, in terms of fitness, in terms of running. That separates him from the rest and that is why his performances have been consistent because he has the hunger to score runs, that has not gone away,” Sehwag said.

“I would say he retired early from Test cricket. He could have easily played the format for two more years,” he added.

Kohli will be seen in action for RCB in IPL 2025.