Virat Kohli is more than likely to remain steadfast in his decision to retire from the longest format of the game.
This news has come as a shocker to Indian fans. Earlier, they were dealt with the jolt of Rohit Sharma hanging up his boots from the longest format. The Indian captain was struggling with form in the format and while there were some reports about him being removed from captaincy, the 38-year-old decided to quit the format altogether.
Virat Kohli to retire from test cricket?
While the Indian fans were still recovering and coping with this news, they were dealt with another big blow in the form of Kohli’s decision to quit Tests. This comes at a very crucial time. The Indian cricket team is about to kick off their WTC 2025-27 cycle, with an away series against England. The last 5-match series between the two nations ended in a draw of 2-2.
Keeping the future of the team in mind, the BCCI asked Kohli to reconsider his decision to retire from Tests. A source cited by TOI says, “Kohli had informed the selectors two weeks ago about his desire to retire. They were trying to persuade him to play in the Test series against England. However, he is still firm on his stance. The final call will come close to the selection meeting next week.”
Just like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli has been struggling in the longest format too. In the last tour of Australia, the player could only manage to score 190 runs from 5 games. What’s really shocking is that he scored a hundred in the very first game, but failed to cross 41 in any of the remaining innings.
Despite his struggles, the Indian team selectors are still willing to back him. They are looking at him as a key figure who can play the crucial role of number 4 batter in the England series, where Shubman Gill might make his captaincy debut in Tests. Gill is being considered as the long-term option to lead the red-ball side and his elevation could coincide with a complete transition of leadership in the format.
But, if Kohli remains unavailable and even announces his retirement, then the BCCI will have a big headache regarding who can take his place in the fourth position. If things persist, they may be forced to give another chance to Shreyas Iyer, or even a player like Karun Nair could make a surprising comeback to the squad.
Virat Kohli has been a part of the Indian Test setup for over 14 years now. The player made his debut in 2011 and went on to represent the side in 123 Test matches in which he scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46. These games include 31 fifties, 30 hundreds, and 7 double hundreds as well. He captained India in 68 Test matches, winning 40 of them — the most by any Indian Test skipper in history.
If ABP News’ report is to be believed, the BCCI has failed to change Virat Kohli’s mind. And a Test retirement might be announced anytime.
What does this mean for the Indian cricket team?
Virat Kohli’s retirement will leave the Indian cricket team’s batting order exposed in English conditions. It will mean that other than Gill and KL Rahul, there will not be any player in the top five with significant experience in those seaming and swinging conditions.
Yashasvi Jaiswal will be playing his first full Test series in England, and so will be the likes of other youngsters like Sarfaraz Khan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. These are exciting players, but they remain untested in conditions that demand discipline and technical acumen.
Although highly unlikely, the BCCI can also opt for experience in the form of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Both players have done reasonably well in the recently concluded domestic season and are reportedly eager for one last stint in the Indian whites.
If Kohli walks away now, it would mark the end of an era — one that brought both dominance and flair to Indian Test cricket.
