'Hope Kohli continues playing Tests and ODIs'

Virat Kohli's decision to sit out the South Africa T20Is and ODIS could indicate an interesting shift in his career. At 35, Kohli is a two-time ICC trophy winner, carries the legacy of being India's most successful Test captain of all time and has achieved every ODI batting record that there is. A World Cup win would have been the icing on the cake, but Kohli learnt it the hard way that endings are never always perfect. 

- Aditya Bhattacharya

AB DE VILLIERS - FORMER SOUTH AFRICA BATTER

While he surely can carry on, just how long he intends to remains a million-dollar question. By 2027, Virat will be 39, and although he has raised the fitness bar higher than anyone else, stretching for another four years looks a bridge too far to cross even for him.

Having said that, if there's anyone who can provide a sneak peek into what's going on inside Kohli's mind, it's his former Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate AB de Villiers. In a chat with Hindustan Times, SA20 Brand Ambassador de Villiers spoke on a range of topics including India's upcoming tour of South Africa and what the future may hold for Kohli. Excerpts:

You know Virat so well. Lately, he has used words such as 'tired' and 'recovery time' in his interviews/post-match presentations. Do you see him leaving one format to prolong another?

I hope he continues to play ODIS and Tests. I'm sure he has got a plan in place. It's very reasonable and normal for him to be tired, to feel like it's time for him to unfold that final chapter in a way. I don't exactly know how long he will play for but I would like it to be for as long as possible. He's been incredible to watch and we all want to see a little bit more of him. The South Africa series is important to him, and he might play a few, rest and sit out a few and find a way to manage himself leading up to the end of his career.