Virat Kohli’s former RCB teammate AB de Villiers revealed that he had a hint about the veteran Indian batter’s Test retirement. However, Kohli stunned everyone by retiring from the Test format recently. Kohli finished his Test career with 9,230 runs, which came at an average of almost 47 in 123 outings. However, Kohli faced a massive dip recently, averaging only 22.47 in his previous 10 matches as well.

Talking about Kohli’s retirement on ESPN Cricinfo, De Villiers said: “Ultimately, having been through something similar during my playing days, when I got to the end and I felt like it’s time to move on, I almost did not want too many voices in my head and ears. I wanted to listen to my heart and I think that’s what he did well. He really had some quiet time and he feels at peace and ease with his decision and that’s most important. But I did get a couple of hints over the last six to 12 months that we are not far away.”

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“We had some good discussions about where he is at in his career over the last six to 12 months. I didn’t think he would get to a stage where he would call it quits. But I did get a feeling that we are not far away. There is so much to think about at the level he was playing, so much pressure, carrying the weight of the nation, so there is a lot that goes into it,” he further added.

However, AB de Villiers also empathised with fans, who he believed were used to seeing Virat Kohli on the field. He also debuted for India in Tests in 2011 and he has been a key player to the side’s transformation now as well.

“We are all emotional and wanted to see him play forever as fans. I was a teammate of his for a few years and also played as an opponent on the field and you always get used to him being around but all good things come to an end. He’s had a wonderful career with so much to celebrate. He is still going to play cricket but he will have a lot more time in his hands, perhaps for the family, which is a blessing,” AB de Villiers concluded.