Kapil Dev Praises Kohli’s ODI Milestone, Questions Test Exit

Former India captain Kapil Dev praised Virat Kohli’s achievement of reaching 15,000 runs in One Day Internationals, calling him a special talent, while saying he did not know why Kohli had left Test cricket. Kapil said he believed Kohli had the ability to continue in the longer format, but acknowledged that the decision was Kohli’s to make. Kohli reached the ODI milestone during India’s successful chase of 296 against the West Indies in the first match of the series on September 27. He scored an unbeaten 139 from 88 balls, with 10 fours and nine sixes, as India won by eight wickets. His innings took his ODI career total to 15,080 runs, making him the second batter to pass 15,000 in the format, after Sachin Tendulkar. Kapil praised Kohli’s batting and commitment, noting that the batter had maintained an average above 60 in the format. He also highlighted Kohli’s self-belief, saying that the player trusts his ability and backs himself. Kapil’s remarks were his assessment of Kohli’s career; the reports do not establish Kohli’s own explanation for retiring from Test cricket.