Kohli gone too soon in Tests, primed for ODI World Cup bow, says Donald

New Delhi: Virat Kohli's work ethic and hunger for runs should see him play in the 2027 ODI World Cup though he was good enough to continue in Tests too, believes former South Africa pace ace Allan Donald.

Kohli retired from Tests earlier in the year after leaving T20I last year. He remains as prolific as before in 50-over format and remains keen to represent India in T20 World Cup in February.

Donald has worked with Kohli for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League and remains an admirer of his thorough preparation module.

"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 said on Sunday, as quoted by PTI.

"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."

Since the T20 World Cup will be held in India and Sri Lanka, Donald expects high scoring matches where bowlers have minimal margin for error.

"It's going to be 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," the former tearaway pacer said.

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"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 added.