A Taliban leader expressed his views on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s recent Test retirements, praising Kohli’s unique talent.
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Rohit Sharma: Kohli’s Absence Marks a New Era in Asia Cup 2025
Considered one of the greatest cricketers in history, Virat Kohli’s absence from the ongoing 2025 Asia Cup is a first for fans. Since his India debut, Kohli has been a pivotal figure across formats, anchoring the batting lineup and delivering in high-pressure situations. However, age is catching up—he will turn 37 later this year—and he is not part of the Asia Cup squad, having announced his T20I retirement last year. Kohli also retired from Test cricket in May.
His global popularity remains unmatched. In a surprising revelation, Anas Haqqai, a leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Taliban movement, admitted to being a Kohli fan. Commenting on the recent retirements of Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Haqqai expressed his astonishment at Kohli’s decision, underscoring the wide-reaching influence of the RCB star beyond the cricketing world.
Kohli’s absence is felt not just on the field but also among fans and followers worldwide, marking the start of a new era in India’s T20 and Test lineups.
Taliban leader drops verdict on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test retirements
Speaking to Shubhankar Mishra, Anas Haqqai commented on the retirements of India’s cricketing icons: “Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Tests was justified. I don’t know the cause behind Kohli’s retirement. Very few people across the world are that unique. My wish is that he tries to play till he is 50.”
Kohli has not retired from ODIs and continues to hold numerous records. He is the all-time leader in most tons in ODIs, second in overall international centuries, and the highest run-scorer in IPL history. His contributions were pivotal in India’s Champions Trophy win this year, and he also starred in India’s victorious campaigns in the 2011 ODI World Cup, 2013 Champions Trophy, and 2024 T20 World Cup. During his captaincy, India claimed the ICC Test mace three consecutive times in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Kohli’s career often draws comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar, and he is widely regarded as Tendulkar’s rightful successor. His skill, consistency, and leadership have earned him admiration not only in India but across the cricketing world, cementing his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
