NEW DELHI: South African pace great Allan Donald believes Virat Kohli has retired from Test cricket slightly earlier than expected, but feels the Indian star's hunger and drive will keep him going until at least the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Donald, who worked closely with Kohli during his stint as Royal Challengers Bengaluru's bowling coach in the 2014 and 2015 IPL seasons, spoke highly of the batter's work ethic and professionalism.
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He said Kohli's commitment to fitness, preparation and constant self-improvement sets him apart, and gives him confidence that the former India captain still has plenty to offer in the limited-overs format.
"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 SA20.
VIDEO | South African pace legend Allan Donald feels Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket a touch sooner, but believes the star Indian batter has the hunger to keep going till the 2027 ODI World Cup.
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"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.
Donald believes South Africa have assembled a well-balanced and formidable squad, one that has the depth and quality to perform strongly at the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
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"It's going to be a a heck of a tournament in India, isn't it? South Africa picked a very strong squad. There might always be question marks about who's not going and who should have gone and all that kind of stuff. I think India have got the best T20 wickets on the planet. It's just so hard for any bowler and I've seen it in the IPL with scores 124 in a power play. That's just where the skill of batting has gone.
"If you can win the inches from a bowling point of view and plot your way very carefully and smartly, then, you know, it's going to come down to that again. So, I hope to see South Africa in the final as well," he said.
'SA20 going to get bigger'
The 59-year-old was delighted to see the progress SA20 has made over the last four seasons, and expressed confidence that the league will further develop in the years to come.
"We've been waiting for this for quite some time now. I was fortunate enough last year to be with Durban Super Giants and being in their dressing room. It feels like an IPL atmosphere. And not that this tournament will be as big as the IPL but from a South African point of view, this is as good as it gets.
"High-class cricketers, some young stars coming that I haven't seen. You know, they discovered only a few weeks ago this little pacer Mokoena from nowhere. I've not seen him at all.
"And here he is on the biggest stage against some of the finest cricketers in the world. So it's just a great vibe really. It's very special. And yeah, I hope this thing gets bigger and bigger," he signed off.
(With PTI Inputs)
