Allan Donald said Virat Kohli may have retired from Test cricket early but believed his unmatched hunger will drive him to continue in white-ball cricket until the 2027 ODI World Cup.
South African pace great Allan Donald believes Virat Kohli stepped away from Test cricket a little earlier than expected, but said the Indian batting star still has the hunger to continue at the highest level until the 2027 ODI World Cup. Donald based his view on Kohli’s exceptional work ethic and mindset, which he closely observed during their time together at Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL.
Donald and Kohli worked together when the former served as RCB’s bowling coach in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Reflecting on that phase, Donald highlighted Kohli’s intensity and dedication, which he feels separates him from the rest.
“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen hunger in a player other than Virat. I’ve got massive respect for him. I often talk about it in the dressing rooms and chats about being a champion trainer. There’s no one that trains as hard as him. He is just a machine,” Donald told a select media gathering during the SA20.
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The former Proteas fast bowler admitted he misses Kohli in the longest format but is confident the Indian star will continue to shine in white-ball cricket.
“I actually miss him in the Test match arena. I think he’s retired too early, but yeah, I look with no doubt we will see him in the white-ball arena in the World Cup very, very soon,” he added.
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