Star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, a close friend of national football captain Sunil Chhetri, revealed that Chhetri is at peace with his decision to retire following a World Cup qualifying match next month.
Kohli then stated that Chhetri had informed him of his decision before making it public. On Thursday, Chhetri, India's most capped player with 150 appearances and the country's leading goal-scorer with 94 goals, announced that he will retire after the match against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6.
"He (Chhetri) is a great player. He messaged me as well informing me that he's going to do that. But I would say I felt like he is at peace with the decision," Kohli said in a short video interview on his IPL side Royal Challengers Benagluru's 'X' page.
"I have become very close with him over the years and I wish the best. He is a lovely, lovely guy."
Kohli also informed that his daughter Vamika has recently started swinging a bat but said he would never force his kids to take up cricket.
Kohli and his actor wife Anushka Sharma were blessed with a daughter Vamika, in 2021 and recently also welcomed a son, Akaay.
"My daughter picked up a bat and she is enjoying swinging the bat. But it's their choice again only," he said.
RCB is currently placed sixth in the IPL standings with 12 points from 13 games and will take on defending champions Chennai Super Kings in a must-win match here on Friday.
RCB made a remarkable comeback with five straight wins after enduring a six-game losing streak to stay afloat in the playoff race.
"The month of May has been very good. We found a ray of sunlight. We are glad that we have made the fans happy again," Kohli said of their fightback.
Follow us
