Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket at 37 is benefiting RCB significantly. By stepping away from the longest format, Kohli has freed himself to focus exclusively on IPL and limited-overs cricket, allowing him to bring renewed energy and fresh approach to Royal Challengers Bangalore’s campaign.
Kohli’s Test retirement is pure marketing disguised as strategic brilliance. RCB gets a marquee name freed from international commitments, but let’s be honest—a 37-year-old’s “renewed energy” is a stretch. The real angle: this frees up India’s central contracts purse, allowing the BCCI to restructure payments. RCB benefits from availability, not rejuvenation. This is IPL opportunism dressed in retirement dignity.
Mohammed Shami has brushed off his underwhelming IPL performance, attributing his strong comeback to rigorous fitness regimen and domestic cricket preparation. The veteran pacer emphasizes he’s human, not a machine, while delivering impressive performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026.
Shami’s fitness excuse masks a deeper problem: age catching up with a 34-year-old fast bowler. Yes, he’s performed well for Sunrisers, but selective domestic cricket appearances before the IPL suggest he’s no longer India’s automatic Test choice either. The real story isn’t his comeback—it’s whether franchises will keep backing aging pacers when younger talent emerges. Shami remains valuable, but his window is visibly closing.
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