Cricket fans around the world are clamoring for information about experienced mainstay Virat Kohli as the Asia Cup 2025 draws near. The tournament will be played in the UAE from September 9 to 28 in the T20I format. Will he ever again wear the India jersey? The facts are as follows.
1. Retired from T20Is — No Comeback for Asia Cup
In June 2024, after India won the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli formally announced his retirement from T20 internationals. Since the Asia Cup 2025 would be contested under the Twenty20 International format, Kohli is intentionally not eligible for selection and is also unavailable due to his retirement. In fact, the following is confirmed by recent media coverage: “Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have retired from T20 internationals.
2. India’s Asia Cup Squad: No Room for Kohli
In mid-August, India’s 15-man Asia Cup 2025 team was formally revealed, with Shubman Gill serving as vice-captain and Suryakumar Yadav as captain. Virat Kohli is noticeably absent from the list, which also features explosive names like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and others. The new T20 order is further highlighted by the exclusion of several well-known players, like Mohammed Shami, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer.
3. Why Is Kohli Not Part of the Asia Cup?
Here’s where it gets clear:
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Kohli voluntarily ended his T20I career after the 2024 World Cup final, indicating a personal and definitive farewell to the format.
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The Asia Cup is a T20 tournament, so his retirement directly excludes him from consideration.
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Selection panels have moved forward with a new crop of talent for Asia Cup and beyond. No reports or credible rumors suggest reconsideration of his inclusion.
4. But Kohli Isn’t Retired from All Formats
Importantly, Kohli is still playing in ODIs even if he has retired from Test matches (May 2025) and T20Is. He has recently been seen practicing hard in London in anticipation of his 50-over international return after an IPL-2025 victory. Additionally, BCCI officials, including Vice President Rajeev Shukla, confirm that Kohli is still a vital member of the 50-over system and has no immediate plans to retire from ODI cricket.
5. What It Means for Fans
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Asia Cup 2025: No, Virat Kohli will not play—not by omission, but by his own retirement from the format.
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Looking ahead: Fans should expect to see him back in ODIs, where he remains very much active and impactful. His continued presence boosts team stability, while BCCI has clearly stated there are no pressures or plans for him to step away anytime soon.
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The Asia Cup presents a generational shift—and a chance for the new guard to shine—while Kohli prepares for his next chapter off the T20 stage.
TL;DR
Will Virat Kohli play Asia Cup 2025? No. He’s retired from T20 internationals, and the Asia Cup is a T20I tournament. However, Kohli remains active in ODIs and appears set to continue contributing there, with no immediate retirement in sight.
