South African fast-bowling legend Allan Donald has weighed in on Virat Kohli’s Test retirement, stating he believes the Indian superstar stepped away from the format “too early.” Donald drew a direct comparison to his countryman AB de Villiers, who also retired from Tests at a similar age and stage of his career. It’s a view many cricket watchers share, especially seeing Kohli’s current white-ball form.
Donald’s comments come at a time when Kohli continues to dominate in One Day Internationals, proving his ability to perform at the highest level. The debate around his Test exit is heating up again.
Donald’s View: A Premature Exit?
Allan Donald didn’t hold back. He misses Virat Kohli in Test cricket. “I miss him in the Test match arena,” Donald said, according to India TV News. He felt Kohli “had more left in the tank in Test cricket.”
The former Proteas bowler believes Kohli could still dominate. He saw Kohli battling it out in long, hard series. Donald’s words are a mark of respect for Kohli’s intense competitive spirit.
He explicitly linked Kohli’s decision to AB de Villiers. De Villiers retired from Tests in May 2018 at 34. Many thought that was too soon. Donald thinks Kohli’s exit is similar. The Indian Express reported Donald stating, “I still think he’s almost like an AB (AB de Villiers). You think he’s retired too early.”
Donald spoke during the SA20 build-up. He apparently wants to see Kohli play in South Africa somehow. It shows his admiration for the batter’s skill. “He is just a machine,” Donald added, praising Kohli’s hunger.
Kohli’s Test Legacy and Current Form
Kohli retired from Test cricket in early 2025. He was one of India’s greatest Test batters. He stepped away from Tests and T20Is to focus on ODIs. By then, he had crossed 8,000 Test runs, with 29 centuries. That’s a serious record.
His average was in the high 40s. He scored multiple double hundreds. Those are impressive numbers for anyone.
Since his Test exit, Kohli has been on song in ODIs. He had strong domestic one-day performances. He hit tons in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Selectors and former players see this as proof he still has a lot of cricket left. The Indian team management sees him as central to their ODI plans. This approach is seen by some as “the best thing for ODI cricket.” It allows players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma to manage workloads. They can focus on the 50-over format, where India needs them.
The Broader Debate Continues
Virat Kohli hasn’t directly replied to Donald’s recent comments. When he retired, Kohli said it was about prioritising formats. He wanted to manage his body. It was about maximizing performance in the formats he continued to play. He wasn’t forced out by poor form alone. But it’s true, he had a tough run in 2024, averaging under 25 across 19 innings before quitting.
Donald’s remarks are a respected critique from a rival legend. He misses watching Kohli bat in whites. He feels Kohli had more to give in Tests. This fuels the ongoing debate among pundits. Was it the right move? Could he have played for a few more years?
Kohli is still retired from Test cricket. There’s no sign of a comeback. He remains an active ODI player for India. He’s named in current squads. That includes the three-match home ODI series against New Zealand. He’ll feature as a senior batter. This shows India’s continued reliance on him in limited-overs cricket. You can find more updates on Indian cricket strategy on The Indian Express sports section.
The conversation about senior players and format choices won’t fade. Donald’s voice just added weight to the argument. He thinks Kohli could have continued in Tests. It’s a testament to Kohli’s impact on the game. His presence is missed in the longest format.
Soureesh Datta 
Sagnik Banerjee 
Ishaan Singh