T20 World Cup: Why are talks about Virat Kohli's retirement doing rounds on social media?

After waiting for almost three years for his 71st century, former India skipper Virat Kohli got his maiden T20 ton during the clash against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2022. However, now with him getting his groove back, suddenly there have been talks going on about his retirement.

Considered one of the fittest cricketers playing all three formats of the game, Kohli has been named in the squad for the upcoming World Cup 2022. 

So with him back in form and in the squad, is Kohli considering retirement post the mega-event?

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has predicted Kohli might consider leaving the shorter format after the showpiece event - the reason being to 'extend his longevity in the other formats.

"Kohli might just take retirement after the T20 World Cup. He may do that to extend his longevity in the other formats. If I was him I would have looked at the larger picture and taken a call," Akhtar had said, according to India.com.

Akhtar is not the only one who spoke about Kohli's retirement. Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi had also spoken on the prospect of Kohli's future retirement. 

"The way Virat has played, the start that he had to his career, there was a struggle initially before he made a name for himself. He is a champion and I believe there comes a stage when you are headed towards retirement. But in that scenario, the aim should be to go out on a high,” Afridi said on Samaa TV.

"It shouldn't reach a stage where you are dropped from the team and instead when you are at your peak. It seldom happens though. Very few players, especially cricketers from Asia make that decision, but I feel when Virat does it, he will do it style and probably in the same manner in which he started his career," the former all-rounder added.

Talking about Kohli, he has represented India in over 100 matches in all three formats. In T20I, he has already played 104 games, batting at an average of 51.94, and stacking 3584 runs.

In the recently concluded Asia Cup, Kohli finished as the second-highest run-scorer, accumulating 276 runs from five matches.